CyDeploy uses AI digital twins to test software updates safely

CyDeploy, a startup founded by Tina Williams-Koroma, has developed a machine learning platform that creates “digital twins” of company systems to test software updates before deploying them to production environments. The solution addresses the critical challenge companies face balancing rapid security patching with operational stability, and CyDeploy is competing as a Top 20 finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

How it works: CyDeploy uses machine learning to observe and record how users interact with critical systems on a daily basis, then creates replica environments for testing.

• The platform records and labels screen activities and user interactions, with machine learning algorithms automatically interpreting and categorizing the data.
• A human system administrator remains in the loop to verify the machine learning labeling accuracy and prevent hallucinations, leveraging their expertise to validate what they’re seeing.
• Companies can run functional test scripts in the digital twin environment that reflect normal day-to-day usage patterns before pushing updates to live systems.

Target applications: The platform focuses on mission-critical infrastructure rather than individual workstations.

• “Tier 1 applications where changes need to be made quickly because of security reasons, but not too quickly because of operational reasons,” Williams-Koroma explained.
• Primary use cases include servers and critical machines that require rapid security updates without compromising operational integrity.

Privacy options: CyDeploy offers flexible deployment models to address data security concerns.

• Companies can choose to use CyDeploy’s large language model that runs entirely within their own environment, ensuring proprietary data never leaves their servers.
• Alternatively, customers can opt for OpenAI’s model integration, though this would involve data leaving the company’s systems or cloud infrastructure.

The competitive advantage: Williams-Koroma emphasized that CyDeploy’s primary value proposition is accelerating the creation of comprehensive test scripts.

• “You deploy it into your digital twin environment, have the sysadmins run these functional test scripts that reflect normal day-to-day uses,” she said. “And then they can see from there what the issues might be.”