Governments and critical infrastructure operators could soon gain broader access to AI-powered cyber defense automation following a $17.5-million funding round for cybersecurity startup Rilian Technologies.
The funding will support the expansion of its “agentic AI” platform, Caspian, designed to automate cyber defense workflows, integrate security tools across organizations, and accelerate threat response in military, government, and critical infrastructure environments.
Unlike conventional security platforms, Caspian acts as a unified command layer across fragmented security systems.
It uses pre-trained AI agents to retain institutional knowledge and operate in sovereign or air-gapped environments where commercial cloud access may be restricted.
“For many national security organizations, the challenge of executing their mission is not a lack of budget or technology; it is the effective utilization of technical capabilities with limited skilled manpower,” said Rilian CEO and co-founder Christian Schnedler.
Rilian linked demand for the platform to the growing use of hybrid warfare tactics, including cyberattacks, electronic warfare, and information operations seen in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
Funding and Investors
The round was led by 8VC, First In, and Tamarack Global, with investors highlighting rising demand for sovereign AI-enabled defense systems capable of operating across contested and national-scale security environments.
“Agentic AI will define the next generation of mission systems,” said John McCormick, founder and managing partner at Tamarack Global.
“Rilian is building the connective tissue that enables governments to integrate advanced cyber and defense technologies into real operations at national scale.”
Additional investors included 8090 Industries, Liquid 2 Ventures, Perot Jain, and Protego Ventures.
Agentic AI Expands Across Defense Operations
Recent developments include the Pentagon’s deployment of more than 100,000 AI agents for operational and administrative workflows.
Separately, Northrop Grumman and NVIDIA are working on autonomous “cognitive” spacecraft designed to plan and adapt missions with minimal human oversight.
The trend is also extending into research, with DARPA recently launching its MATHBAC initiative to study how AI agents communicate, collaborate, and develop more advanced reasoning capabilities.
