What does Dreadnode do?

It tests AI models, applications and agents by attacking them, looking for weaknesses such as jailbreaks and prompt injection before they are deployed.

Who is acquiring Dreadnode?

CrowdStrike announced a definitive agreement on 3 November 2026. Terms were not disclosed; The Wall Street Journal reported about $95 million.

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Dreadnode is a US offensive AI security company founded by Will Pearce and Nick Landers.

Abstract illustration of a shield over a network — CrowdStrike to acquire Fiddler AI and Dreadnode to monitor and test enterprise AI agents

Cybersecurity5 Nov 2026, 07:21 UTC

CrowdStrike agreed on 3 November 2026 to buy Fiddler AI and Dreadnode for AI agent monitoring and testing, and added an AI Kill Switch to Falcon Guardian.

Summary

CrowdStrike said on 3 November 2026 at Fal.Con Europe in Barcelona that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Fiddler AI, which monitors and explains AI agents in production, and Dreadnode, which attacks AI models and agents before they ship. Both deals should close in CrowdStrike's fourth fiscal quarter of 2027. CrowdStrike did not disclose terms; The Wall Street Journal put them at about $495 million combined. It also launched an AI Kill Switch.

About Dreadnode

Dreadnode is a US offensive AI security company founded by Will Pearce and Nick Landers. It sells tools that attack AI models, applications and agents to find weaknesses such as prompt injection before deployment, and runs the Crucible AI hacking range. CrowdStrike agreed to acquire it in November 2026.

Reviewed 5 Nov 2026

Facts at a glance

Founders: Will Pearce (former NVIDIA AI red team lead) and Nick Landers (former VP of research, NetSPI) source
Funding: $14 million Series A led by Decibel, with In-Q-Tel among investors source
Products: AI red teaming platform and agent; Crucible AI hacking range source
Acquirer: CrowdStrike, definitive agreement announced 3 November 2026; technology to join Falcon Guardian source

Questions people ask

What does Dreadnode do?: It tests AI models, applications and agents by attacking them, looking for weaknesses such as jailbreaks and prompt injection before they are deployed.
Who is acquiring Dreadnode?: CrowdStrike announced a definitive agreement on 3 November 2026. Terms were not disclosed; The Wall Street Journal reported about $95 million.

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CrowdStrike to acquire Fiddler AI and Dreadnode to monitor and test enterprise AI agents