Cybercriminals are getting smarter — and so is their technology. With the rise of AI-powered phishing attacks, email threats are no longer limited to clumsy scams filled with typos. Instead, hackers now use large language models (LLMs) to craft convincing emails that can easily trick even the most vigilant professionals.
To tackle this growing crisis, former Google security leaders have launched AegisAI, a new cybersecurity startup that has just emerged from stealth with $13 million in seed funding. Their mission: build autonomous AI agents that stop phishing, malware, and business email compromise attacks before they reach your inbox.
The Problem: AI-Driven Email Attacks on the Rise
According to the U.S. federal cybersecurity agency CISA, over 90% of successful cyberattacks begin with a phishing email. Worse, a recent CrowdStrike report revealed that phishing emails generated by AI had a staggering 54% click-through rate in 2024, compared to just 12% for human-written emails.
These statistics paint a clear picture: traditional email security tools are no longer enough. Hackers are evolving, and so must our defenses.
AegisAI: The Startup Born to Fight Smarter Threats
Who’s Behind AegisAI?
AegisAI was founded by Cy Khormaee and Ryan Luo, former Google executives who previously worked on Safe Browsing and reCAPTCHA. Together, they bring a decade of experience in combating phishing, malware, and online fraud at a global scale.
- Cy Khormaee: Former head of product at Google, where he protected 4 billion users and 4 million websites.
- Ryan Luo: Veteran engineer from Google’s Safe Browsing team with nearly 10 years of cybersecurity expertise.
The two joined forces to create an AI-powered platform that can analyze and neutralize threats in real time — with no reliance on static rules or endless user training.
How AegisAI Works: Autonomous AI Agents
Unlike traditional email security platforms, AegisAI uses a network of reasoning agents, each powered by a custom-trained large language model.
Here’s how it works:
- Detection: An orchestrator agent identifies suspicious activity in incoming emails.
- Collaboration: The orchestrator calls other specialized “buddy agents” to analyze different components.
- Analysis: Agents inspect links, attachments, metadata, QR codes, and even behavioral patterns.
- Decision: Agents debate, share reasoning, and deliver a verdict in real-time.
👉 This multi-agent system adapts dynamically, self-tunes against new attack strategies, and reduces false positives by up to 90% compared to traditional solutions.
Key Features of AegisAI’s Email Defense
- AI-First Security: No static rule sets, only dynamic reasoning models.
- Industry-Specific Protection: Tailored models for venture capital, financial services, and enterprise clients.
- Fast Deployment: Setup takes less than five minutes on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
- Detailed Reporting: Clients receive a security report within days, showcasing detected threats, false positives, and false negatives.
- Pilot Programs Running: Already active with customers in the U.S. and Europe, including Lokker (data privacy compliance) and Mesh Connect (crypto payments).
Why AegisAI Could Be a Game-Changer
Khormaee believes email attacks will continue evolving, and AegisAI must stay ahead by building 50 to 100 specialized agents in the future. As hackers retool their strategies, these AI-driven defenders will adapt on the fly.
Unlike legacy systems that often overwhelm users with false positives, AegisAI provides accuracy, adaptability, and speed — three things businesses need to survive in today’s cyber threat landscape.
The Funding and Future Plans
Backed by Accel and Foundation Capital, the $13 million seed round will help AegisAI expand its technical team and strengthen go-to-market operations. With offices in San Francisco and New York, the startup is positioning itself to become a leader in next-gen email security.
This investment highlights a growing recognition: the cybersecurity arms race is now AI vs. AI.
Why Businesses Should Care
Every organization, whether a startup or enterprise, relies on email for critical operations. A single successful phishing email can cost millions in damages, reputational loss, and compliance penalties.
AegisAI offers a proactive defense system that learns, adapts, and fights threats before they can cause harm. For businesses, adopting such technology could be the difference between resilience and disaster.
Final Thoughts
Email remains the biggest entry point for cyberattacks, and AI has made phishing more dangerous than ever. AegisAI is stepping up with autonomous security agents that think, adapt, and defend in real time — potentially changing the future of email security.
For businesses worried about phishing, malware, and data breaches, AI-powered protection is no longer optional — it’s essential.
👉 Explore more about the latest in cybersecurity and AI-driven tech solutions on PreviewKart.
FAQs
1. What is AegisAI?
AegisAI is a cybersecurity startup founded by ex-Google security leaders, focused on stopping phishing and malware using AI-powered agents.
2. How is AegisAI different from traditional email security?
Unlike rule-based systems, AegisAI uses autonomous reasoning agents that adapt and neutralize threats in real time.
3. How fast can AegisAI be deployed?
Setup takes less than five minutes on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, with results available within days.
4. Does AegisAI work for small businesses?
Yes, its fast deployment and accuracy make it suitable for startups, SMBs, and enterprises alike.
5. Who invested in AegisAI?
AegisAI raised $13M in seed funding, co-led by Accel and Foundation Capital.
