Frenos, recognized as a pioneer in AI-native operational technology (OT) security posture management, has entered into a strategic partnership with N2K Networks. N2K, known for its CyberWire media platform and N2K Certify practice tests, is regarded as the only “news-to-knowledge” network dedicated to serving cybersecurity organizations and professionals across both public and private sectors.

The collaboration brings together N2K’s extensive professional certification dataset with Frenos’ advanced AI engine, SAIRA (Simulated Adversarial Intelligence Reasoning Agent). This integration establishes the first OT security platform powered by validated professional intelligence rather than generic AI models. N2K’s knowledge base, which has been refined over 25 years, covers the expertise required for more than 100 leading cybersecurity certifications. Trusted by global training providers, it equips professionals with continually updated knowledge while enabling organizations to strengthen adaptability and resilience.

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“This partnership marks a fundamental shift in OT security,” said Harry Thomas, Co-Founder and CTO of Frenos. “Instead of simply detecting vulnerabilities, we’re building an AI that reasons like certified security professionals. N2K’s dataset provides the operational depth needed to secure critical infrastructure.”

From First-Generation to Next-Generation OT Security

Over the last decade, OT asset owners have relied on first-generation tools to achieve greater visibility, detection, and response capabilities. Frenos is now advancing the field with the first second-generation OT platform—an innovation that builds on and enhances those foundational investments.

By fusing data from existing tools with diverse IT/OT security sources, Frenos delivers unmatched prioritization and context, allowing enterprises to accelerate the maturity of their OT security programs. At the center of this platform is SAIRA, now enhanced with N2K’s certification-driven intelligence, offering decision-making insights comparable to those of seasoned professionals holding over 100 recognized industry certifications.

“N2K has always delivered trusted intelligence that supports the industry’s top talent,” said Peter Kilpe, CEO of N2K Networks. “Through our partnership with Frenos, that same expertise is being applied to AI systems that protect critical infrastructure—a breakthrough in extending professional knowledge at scale.”

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Thomas added, “Protecting critical infrastructure isn’t about identifying every vulnerability—it’s about understanding which weaknesses and attack combinations could truly disrupt operations. With N2K’s standards embedded, SAIRA can prioritize threats, recommend alternative mitigations, and support operational continuity where patching isn’t feasible.”

Delivering Professional-Grade Intelligence at AI Speed

N2K’s certification dataset, which has helped train and certify over 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals, serves as the foundation for this new approach. By embedding this structured knowledge into SAIRA, Frenos moves beyond surface-level benchmarks, enabling its AI to demonstrate a true understanding of complex OT security concepts and professional practices.

Future Outlook

Frenos and N2K also plan to expand their partnership to incorporate courseware, case studies, and professional development resources. This will further enhance SAIRA’s ability to reason about OT-specific scenarios with the nuance and expertise of experienced practitioners.

“While others focus on optimizing AI for generic benchmarks, we’re aligning SAIRA with the same standards used to certify human experts,” said Thomas. “That ensures that when the AI highlights a potential attack path, it reflects validated expertise, not just probability models.”

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