As artificial intelligence increasingly empowers cybercriminals and malicious actors, a new cybersecurity startup is stepping into the breach—led by the same visionary who built Google’s $5.4 billion Mandiant business. The company, named Obsidian, aims to counter the rising threat of AI-driven cyberattacks by turning the technology against itself. Founded by Kevin Mandia, the former CEO of Mandiant and a pioneer in modern cybersecurity, Obsidian is focused on developing AI-powered defenses that can anticipate, detect, and neutralize threats before they cause harm. With cyberattacks becoming faster, smarter, and more automated thanks to generative AI, Mandia sees a critical need for proactive, intelligent security systems that can keep pace. “AI isn’t just a tool for attackers—it’s also our best defense,” Mandia said in a recent interview. “The question isn’t whether AI will be used in cyber warfare, but how quickly we can deploy it to protect critical infrastructure, businesses, and individuals.” Obsidian’s approach centers on using AI to analyze vast volumes of threat data in real time, identifying patterns and anomalies that human analysts might miss. The platform can simulate attacks, predict adversary behavior, and recommend defensive actions—all within seconds. It’s designed to help organizations respond not just to known threats, but to novel, evolving attacks that leverage AI to bypass traditional security measures. The startup has already attracted significant attention from investors and industry leaders, drawing on Mandia’s deep reputation in the cybersecurity world. His leadership at Mandiant helped define the modern incident response model and established the company as a global leader in digital forensics and threat intelligence. Now, with Obsidian, Mandia is aiming to shift the balance of power back toward defenders. The company is targeting enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure providers—sectors increasingly vulnerable to AI-enhanced ransomware, deepfake phishing, and automated breach campaigns. As AI continues to reshape the cyber landscape, Obsidian represents a bold attempt to ensure that security keeps up with innovation. With Mandia at the helm, the startup is positioned not just to respond to threats—but to stay ahead of them.