Our AI Innovators Series spotlight leaders at the intersection of technology, security, and artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is reshaping industries and what it means for the future of business. 

This week, we’re thrilled to feature Mike Britton, Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Abnormal Security. With over 25 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, Mike has a profound understanding of the evolving technology landscape. Join us as we delve into Mike’s insights on AI, security, and the transformative power of technology.

Meet Mike Britton

Mike Britton brings knowledge and experience to his role as CIO at Abnormal Security, where he has been instrumental for four years. Before his time at Abnormal, he held significant positions at Fortune 500 enterprises, including Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Privacy Officer at Bread Financial. Mike’s deep-rooted interest in technology is evident in his AI and security innovation approach.

Background & Experience

Please tell us more about yourself and your background.

Mike Britton: I’ve dedicated over two decades to IT and security, from building computers in my early years to managing large-scale security operations at Fortune 500 companies. My journey has been shaped by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation, which I now channel into my role as CIO at Abnormal Security. 

During my tenure, I’ve focused on driving AI transformation, ensuring our technologies enhance security measures and streamline operations. At Abnormal, our mission is clear: using AI to predict and mitigate security threats, ensuring that our customers’’ data remains secure and their businesses operable.

Life outside of work is equally fulfilling. I enjoy traveling with my family and capturing the world through the lens of my camera. These experiences broaden my perspective and fuel my creativity, whether I’m jotting down strategic notes or implementing new security protocols. Balancing work with personal interests keeps me grounded, fostering the energy and clarity needed to lead effectively in a fast-paced technological environment.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Mike Britton: Home life is bustling with activities because I have five children. Despite the chaos, I cherish every moment shared with my family. Our get-togethers often revolve around exploring new destinations, allowing my love for travel to flourish. Each trip becomes a narrative captured by my camera, serving as a pictorial recollection of our adventures and the diverse cultures we encounter. This hobby inadvertently complements my work, offering insights into technology’s universality and applicability across various aspects of life.

Photographing different landscapes and cultures enhances my personal life and influences my professional outlook. Traveling demands adaptability and problem-solving, attributes that are transferable to my role at Abnormal Security. Capturing the perfect shot mirrors the precision and determination required in cybersecurity. It’s a reminder of the global interconnectedness facilitated through technology, reinforcing my commitment to advancing AI for practical and inclusive applications.

Intersection of AI & Technology

What sparked your interest in AI and technology?

Mike Britton: My journey with technology started young, with a penchant for assembling computers and exploring the Internet’s early development. This passion transcended into a professional career when I landed my first job in information security. It was a digital transformation era, a fertile ground for AI innovation. At Abnormal Security, we harness AI to tackle cybersecurity threats, an endeavor I am deeply passionate about. AI’s potential to transform businesses initially attracted me to this field, and it’s been an ever-evolving love affair.”

Upon joining Abnormal, an inherently AI-driven company, I was intrigued by AI’s expansive capabilities. As CIO, I oversee AI integration across various facets of our operations, ensuring AI technologies are well-aligned with our strategic goals. I aim to employ AI as a tool and a transformative agent that redefines our industry’s future. My previous experiences with AI, particularly in advertising technology and cybersecurity, affirm its pivotal role in the current and future tech landscape.

What do you think about AI transformation within Abnormal Security?

Mike Britton: AI transformation at Abnormal Security involves a thorough assessment of the fit-for-purpose technologies and processes. It’s about understanding where AI can enhance or integrate our existing frameworks. Our biggest AI challenge is adopting an AI-native approach to transform how we operate the business. We use AI to deliver our services, including email threat detection and data protection, which form the backbone of our business. The transformation is continuous, requiring adaptation and learning to ensure that AI’s incorporation brings tangible efficiency, security, and user experience benefits.

Another crucial aspect of AI transformation is fostering employee engagement and understanding. It’s not enough to deploy AI tools; we must ensure our teams are confident and capable of using them effectively. I focus on creating training programs that position AI as an aid rather than a replacement, assuaging fears of obsolescence and reinforcing skills development. Bringing real-life use cases to the table empowers our employees to see AI’s potential in their daily tasks, ultimately driving innovation and growth.

What concerns might your workforce have regarding AI tools, and how do you address them?

Mike Britton: Understandably, there’s a shared apprehension regarding AI and its implications on job security and data privacy. Some fear machines might replace human roles, but we emphasize AI’s capability to augment rather than replace human effort. The narrative I strive to spread involves AI’s offloading monotonous tasks, allowing our teams to focus on more meaningful, impactful work. Addressing these concerns involves transparent communication and continuous education about the evolving AI landscape.

“It’s crucial to instill confidence amongst our workforce and customers regarding our ethical use of AI, building trust through transparent practices.”

— Mike Britton, CIO & CISO @ Abnormal Security

Data privacy is another significant concern, and rightfully so. Our commitment at Abnormal Security is to protect customer data rigorously, ensuring the data we handle is managed with utmost diligence. We’ve implemented strict governance measures to mitigate data usage and privacy worries and are pursuing certifications like ISO 42001 for added assurance of how we govern AI within our product. It’s crucial to instill confidence amongst our workforce and customers regarding our ethical use of AI, building trust through transparent practices and stringent security protocols.

Influence of AI at Work

How does AI influence your day-to-day work?

Mike Britton: AI is seamlessly integrated into my daily tasks, transforming how I engage with my responsibilities. With tools like ChatGPT Enterprise, I can draft communications more efficiently, conduct rapid document synthesis, and easily manage note-taking. AI simplifies processes that once demanded considerable manual input, allowing me to redirect focus to strategy and leadership imperatives. The immediacy of AI’s feedback loops ensures decisions are informed and timely, which is invaluable in the ever-evolving tech sector.

This integration of AI into daily workflows is not confined to communication efficiencies. It extends to strategic elements, where AI lends itself to complex problem-solving and project management. Harnessing AI translates to operational agility, empowering us to respond proactively to emerging challenges. The efficiency and reliability offered by AI tools are essential in preserving the momentum needed to sustain competitive advantage and meet evolving enterprise demands.

“Embracing AI requires a mindset shift from perceiving it as a threat to viewing it as a valuable asset.”

— Mike Britton, CIO & CISO @ Abnormal Security

What recent AI advancements are you excited about?

Mike Britton: The advent of AI avatars, particularly in training environments, represents a thrilling frontier. We recently adopted a tool that uses my AI avatar to create engaging security awareness training. This innovation reduces costs and production time, rendering high-quality, customizable training content accessible to our workforce. AI offers boundless potential in creatively addressing traditional media production challenges, shaping the future of corporate training initiatives.

While the advancement of AI avatars and deepfakes is exciting, I’m acutely aware of their dual-use potential. Cyber attackers are also evolving, leveraging similar technologies for malicious purposes. My role involves staying ahead through rigorous security protocols to mitigate risks while capitalizing on these advancements for legitimate, beneficial applications. AI’s dual nature—its capacity for good and bad—keeps the field dynamic and constantly evolving, urging continual innovation.

What skills are essential for your engineering team to develop and stay ahead in AI?

Mike Britton: Curiosity and adaptability are non-negotiable traits for our engineering team members. AI is rapidly evolving; individuals must strongly desire to learn and integrate new tools into their workflows. Embracing AI requires a mindset shift from perceiving it as a threat to viewing it as a valuable asset, positioned to enhance skill sets and offer novel problem-solving approaches in engineering and beyond.”

Now, technical acumen is critical in tandem with curiosity. It’s about understanding the nuts and bolts of AI tools and their application in real-world scenarios. Our team continues to explore new AI methodologies, ensuring their technical foundation is solid and relevant. This ongoing learning fosters an innovation environment where team members can experiment, iterate, and ultimately deliver solutions that propel us into the future of AI-led transformation.

Impact of Digital Workplace Solutions

How do digital workplace solutions add value to organizations?

Mike Britton: Digital workplace solutions like GoLinks simplify navigating complex information ecosystems, enhancing organizational efficiency. They facilitate instant access to valuable resources, eliminating the friction of lengthy searches and document retrieval. This direct access to information improves decision-making capabilities, supporting employees in performing tasks more effectively, thereby driving overall productivity.

But, the actual value lies in knowledge integration. Enterprises accumulate vast amounts of data across various platforms, leading to potential disarray without systems like GoLinks. Employees can retrieve updated and relevant information tailored to their roles by centralizing data access. This streamlines operational workflows and amplifies cross-functional collaboration, establishing a cohesive and agile work environment.

“GoLinks simplifies navigating complex information ecosystems, providing instant access to valuable resources and eliminating friction in document retrieval.”

— Mike Britton, CIO & CISO @ Abnormal Security

How can AI enterprise search enhance workplace solutions, and what are your thoughts on GoSearch?

Mike Britton: Integrating AI enterprise search systems, such as GoSearch, with digital workplace tools is a game-changer. These systems offer advanced data retrieval capabilities, allowing employees to extract synthesized information quickly and accurately from expansive data repositories. This streamlined access to consolidated knowledge resources positions an organization to react swiftly to business challenges and opportunities.

Our focus at Abnormal Security is centered on enhancing knowledge management efficiency. Solutions like GoSearch enable detailed search functionalities that intersect with tools like GoLinks, curating a synergetic knowledge ecosystem. This ideal combination empowers employees to locate the information they need without delay, fostering enhanced collaboration and innovation. AI enterprise search is integral to our strategic initiatives, and leveraging it is critical to maintaining relevancy in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Closing Thoughts

In our engaging conversation with Mike Britton, his insights revealed the transformative power of AI within Abnormal Security and the wider industry. Mike highlighted how AI is valuable in optimizing operations, elevating employee engagement, and enhancing collaborative efficiencies. His perspectives underscore a commitment to innovation, trust, and security—all critical factors in sustaining competitive advantage and achieving technological prowess.

Furthermore, the introduction of tools such as GoSearch and existing digital solutions like GoLinks exemplifies AI’s potential to redefine workplace dynamics. These advancements are a testament to the continued evolution of enterprise tech solutions, paving the way for more innovative and agile organizational strategies.

Stay connected for more editions of our AI Innovators Series as we continue exploring these groundbreaking topics with leaders at the forefront of AI and digital transformation.