Defensive Networks Validates Abnormal AI for Email Security

Defensive Networks is a cloud-first, next-generation solutions provider that helps organizations make smarter cybersecurity and IT decisions with confidence. Known for its rigorous, data-driven evaluation of security tools, Defensive pairs deep expertise with proven technologies to deliver measurable outcomes for customers across the United States.

The Defensive Networks Email Security Challenge: Proving Real Efficacy for Cloud Email

As a solutions provider, Defensive Networks sits between customers and a crowded market of vendors that often promise perfect results. To protect its own environment and its customers, the company needed to run scientific, data-driven benchmarks across leading cloud email security platforms, validate real attack catch rates, and determine which partner it could confidently recommend by default. Ben Fegeruson, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Defensive Networks, was looking for a solution that delivered unmatched accuracy at scale, simplified operations for lean teams, and created a better experience for customers across sectors.

“When you have a partner that is so beyond everybody from an efficacy perspective, you don’t need seven tools. You can really just invest a lot in one partnership and have it be your default.” — Ben Ferguson, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

The Abnormal AI Solution

In addition to partnering with Abnormal, Defensive Networks has deployed several Abnormal products for internal use. Inbound Email Security analyzes normal communication patterns, precisely detects anomalies, and autonomously stops advanced email threats. AI Security Mailbox automates the triage of and response to user-reported messages, while Email Productivity autonomously learns users’ graymail preferences and applies personalized filters to the inbox. AI Phishing Coach delivers automated, personalized training to users that mirrors real attacks, strengthening security awareness without requiring manual effort from lean teams.

Why Defensive Networks Chose Abnormal: “Best-in-Class Efficacy”

When evaluating email security partners, Ferguson found Abnormal delivered “best-in-class efficacy” across a benchmark that has now grown to 7+ million emails. That performance gave him the confidence to recommend Abnormal to clients and adopt it internally, enabling Defensive Networks to invest deeply in a single partner and deliver customer value quickly. As an executive, Ferguson especially values Email Productivity, saying it “has to be one of the closest to perfect algorithms I’ve seen in my entire career.” Despite receiving 300+ hyper-personalized AI sales emails each week, he spends “zero minutes inconvenienced” by graymail. His appreciation also extends to AI Phishing Coach. He values how the product autonomously creates and administers personalized simulations based on actual threats, saving time for his team and clients.

“We have a good understanding of the pinpoint accuracy that Abnormal has. Everything I’ve tested from Abnormal is by far best in class. Second place is a mile away.” — Ben Ferguson, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Email Security That Delivers Proven Efficacy

After validating Abnormal across millions of messages, Defensive Networks has discovered a long-term, high-trust partnership. Inbound Email Security and Email Productivity autonomously protect users and declutter inboxes, while AI Phishing Coach runs a full security awareness program in the background with almost no effort. With one set-it-and-forget-it platform that delivers near “100% customer satisfaction,” Defensive Networks can focus on advising clients, not tuning tools.