FIT Partners with AgileBlue for AI-Powered Cybersecurity

FIT Technologies recently partnered with another leader in the Cleveland technology community: AgileBlue is FIT's preferred AI-based SOC solution provider. This collaboration enhances FIT's cybersecurity offerings with AgileBlue’s advanced AI platform for proactive threat detection.

In a recent episode of FIT's What the Tech podcast, our Vice President of Client Partnerships Becky Cross sat down with AgileBlue President Tony Petricola to discuss the new partnership as well as Tony's journey through the world of tech, highlighting more than two decades of experience in software as a service, fintech, and cybersecurity, and is recognized for driving global growth and building high-performing teams.

Tony’s Journey: From Apple to Cybersecurity

Tony's professional technology journey started back as an engineer at Apple. "Remember the translucent iMacs? I was on that team," Tony said. "That product was very unique and cool, and everybody wanted it, but it had a lot of problems getting to market."

He recalls his lone encounter with then Apple CEO Steve Jobs, as he addressed a room full of the iMac team: "The only thing he said was, 'Perfection is the enemy of revenue. Get this product out the door.' From that point forward, I realized it is all about shipping product and you got to have a good product."

Tony recounted his experience founding 10th Floor, a Cleveland-based web and e-commerce company, and his commitment to growing the local tech ecosystem. He highlighted the collaborative spirit among Cleveland’s tech leaders and the importance of building great technology companies in the region.

When asked about strategies for scaling businesses in industries like Software as a Service, FinTech, and cybersecurity, Tony stressed two key principles: obsessing over customers and shipping great products.

"I think if you obsess over your customers, I don't care if you're selling SaaS, fintech, tires, bottles of water: if you care about your customers, I think life's pretty good and I think your business takes care of itself. I don't think enough businesses do obsess over their customers. So, that is something that is just paramount with what we do every day."

The second half of the equation is having a great, difference-making product. "If you have a great application that does excellent things and literally can change a business, I think that is the key. So if you have a great product and you obsess over your customers, I think that's 90% of everything that has to get done."

Differentiating in the MDR Space

Tony discussed how AgileBlue stands out in the crowded MDR (Managed Detection and Response) space. He argued that AI has transformed the industry, allowing companies to deliver better, faster, and more accurate solutions. AgileBlue leverages AI to leap ahead of traditional competitors, focusing on innovation and efficiency.

The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

Looking ahead, Tony sees AI as a game-changer for cybersecurity. AgileBlue’s goal is to create an autonomous security operations platform, automating mundane tasks and enabling cybersecurity professionals to focus on more challenging work. AI not only addresses talent shortages and burnout but also improves the speed and accuracy of threat detection and mitigation.

"Cybersecurity has a huge talent shortage. It's because people get burned out," Tony said. "If we could stop them from being burned out, put them in more challenging positions, we're going to retain staff, too. And we're gonna have a great company because of that... Number two, it gives our customers faster ways to predict cyber attacks and faster at mitigating the risk and shutting down that cyber attack. And that's what we're all about. The faster we can detect, the faster we can shut it down and mitigate our customers' risk. That is exactly what we're in business for. That's what I think AI does for cybersecurity."

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Our What the Tech podcast explores all things technology and gives a behind the scenes look at everything FIT. Click below to hear the full conversation between Becky and Tony, and then subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.