Adaptive Security commissions Conan O’Brien for AI cybersecurity training series

Adaptive Security, an artificial intelligence cybersecurity firm, has announced a partnership with comedian Conan O’Brien to host a 15-part educational video series. The initiative is designed to assist the company’s clients and their employees in navigating digital threats, specifically focusing on phishing and deepfakes. The collaboration was revealed via a promotional clip on the firm’s website, which features the comedian and reportedly opens with a joke about accepting the role solely for financial compensation.

The move represents a shift in how corporate security training is delivered, aiming to make critical safety information more engaging for staff. By utilising a high-profile entertainer, Adaptive Security is attempting to counter the typically dull nature of industry-standard compliance education. The reporting outlet Engadget characterised the decision as a strategic, albeit expensive, effort to ensure that best practices for online safety are actually absorbed by employees, rather than ignored as a "snoozefest".

This educational push comes against a backdrop of rising cyber risks and significant financial losses for consumers. The Federal Trade Commission reported that social media scams cost Americans at least $2.1 billion in the previous year. As AI tools become more sophisticated, they are making cons more convincing and easier to execute, thereby increasing the threat landscape for businesses.

Companies are increasingly viewed as high-value targets for cybercriminals due to their access to substantial financial assets and sensitive information. The proliferation of generative AI has lowered the barrier for executing complex social engineering attacks, making robust employee education a critical component of an organisation’s defence strategy. Adaptive Security’s series aims to provide practical guidance on identifying these evolving threats.

While the specific financial terms of the partnership between O’Brien and Adaptive Security have not been disclosed, nor has an exact release schedule for the 15-part series been confirmed, the announcement highlights a growing trend of integrating entertainment into corporate training. The firm’s approach underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance against online troublemakers, leveraging common sense rules and engaging content to mitigate risks in an increasingly digital environment.