Black Kite unveils AI agent to automate 3rd-party cyber risk

Black Kite has introduced a new AI-driven agent designed to automate the investigation, assessment and reporting of third-party cyber risk.

The Black Kite AI Agent provides automated capabilities for security teams, exposing advanced AI functionality directly within workflows. It allows users to conduct investigations, generate custom executive reports and benchmark procurement decisions with granular detail. The tool can be accessed contextually across any part of the Black Kite platform, providing responses to user queries and automating action through a network of sub-agents tailored to specific tasks.

The agent sits across the platform, allowing users to query information in context or trigger deeper analysis through pre-built "Blueprints". Powered by a network of specialised sub-agents, the system automatically selects the appropriate tools to investigate vendor findings, risk-score changes, breaches and wider cyber ratings.

It can generate custom executive and board-level reports, benchmark prospective suppliers during procurement, and surface navigation guidance and best-practice recommendations to support programme maturity. The AI Agent also prioritises vendors based on severity and business impact, and introduces document Q&A capabilities that allow users to extract control-specific details from SOC 2, ISO and policy documents using natural-language queries.

Black Kite operates a channel-first model, working with over 300 partners across global resellers, managed services providers, and technology integrators. These partners include Aravo, Guidepoint, Optiv, Onspring, Avertium, ServiceNow, LogicGate, CGS CyberDefence and Carahsoft. Black Kite is also used by over 3,000 customers to manage every supplier and every risk across their extended ecosystem.

Leadership and industry recognition

The company has expanded its executive team by appointing Jack Jones as Strategic Advisor. Jones is regarded as the originator of industry risk measurement frameworks such as Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) and the FAIR Controls Analytics Model (FAIR-CAM). Jessica Stanford has taken up the role of Chief Marketing Officer, and David Sauer has been named Vice President of Strategic Alliances.

Black Kite has received acknowledgement as a sample vendor in the Gartner Hype Cycle for Cyber-Risk Management. The company has also earned cybersecurity industry awards and analyst recognition for its approach to evidence-based and quantifiable cyber risk intelligence. 

"Our strong performance validates that our accuracy, scalability, and transparent approach is more than meeting the demands to avoid disruptions and reduce the administrative costs associated with legacy third-party cyber risk management," said Paul Paget, CEO, Black Kite. "Managing third-party cyber risk is one of the most dynamic and complex challenges facing business leaders today. We are honored that our customers collaborate with us, sharing their insights into this problem. Their ideas inspire Black Kite to continually innovate and deliver enterprise-scale capabilities. Black Kite AI Agent is an example of the company's collaboration with its customers to provide critical insights and further automate the laborious tasks involved in managing risk across an organization's extended ecosystem."