Meet AgileBlue, Cleveland’s AI-powered cybersecurity leaders
This article originally appeared on GreaterCle.com as part of the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s recap of their annual Best of Tech Awards celebration.
Launched in 2020 by two Cleveland natives, AgileBlue has a team of about 45 (more than half in Ohio), and boasts a 98% accuracy rate in identifying threats. And they’re not just all tech—AgileBlue also keeps it local, supporting and growing Greater Cleveland talent and adding bringing global spotlight to the region’s tech scene.
AgileBlue recently won the AI Innovation category at GCP’s 2024 Best of Tech awards and was a finalist for Cybersecurity Partner Excellence. What makes them best in class? GCP recently sat down with co-founder and president Tony Pietrocola to learn more.
GCP: Tell us about AgileBlue and how it stands out in the cybersecurity space.
Tony: AgileBlue is an autonomous SOC (Security Operations Center) provider that uses AI to monitor and respond to potential cyberattacks for clients. We entered the market in 2020 with a mission to change the game in security operations, automating the initial levels of response to streamline processes traditionally handled by large, manual teams. By focusing on AI-driven automation, we can deliver faster, more accurate threat detection, providing both efficiency and cost savings for our clients.
GCP: Was there initial hesitancy among clients toward AI-based security?
Tony: Absolutely. Many clients value the power of AI but still feel more secure with human oversight, especially in something as critical as cybersecurity. To address this, we designed our system to use AI for threat detection while allowing a human to make final decisions. Clients appreciate this hybrid approach as it offers both cutting-edge technology and a reassuring layer of human judgment.
GCP: How are you working to educate clients and the public about AI in security?
Tony: We focus on transparency by publishing key metrics like our 98% accuracy rate, which builds trust in our AI’s effectiveness. Beyond that, the public’s growing exposure to AI tools like ChatGPT is helping people understand and trust AI’s role in everyday tasks. This acceptance is a positive development for AI industries overall, making it easier for clients to see how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human roles.
GCP: Why base AgileBlue in Cleveland?
Tony: Well, Cleveland is home! And my co-founder and I have had successful businesses here. The region has a pool of talented professionals and a lower cost of living, which makes it an attractive place to recruit and retain employees. Many Case Western graduates are now choosing to stay in the area, driven by a growing number of innovative companies. It’s a win-win for the region and for companies like ours that benefit from a skilled workforce that values Cleveland’s quality of life.
GCP: What makes AgileBlue unique in the cybersecurity industry?
Tony: Since we started recently, we weren’t tied to any legacy processes, allowing us to adopt the latest AI technology from the start. This blank slate lets us think big and act creatively to push the limits of automation in cybersecurity. AgileBlue’s AI constantly monitors for anomalous behaviors across systems—whether from human actions or devices—and quickly assesses potential threats. By focusing on speed and accuracy, we help clients mitigate or prevent cyberattacks, minimizing disruptions and financial losses for diverse industries, from tech to hospitality.
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This is the first of a series spotlighting the 2024 GCP Best of Tech honorees. Visit greatercle.com for updates.