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Anthropic Launches Cybersecurity Program to Protect Critical Infrastructure and Open-Source Software with AI

Anthropic Launches Cybersecurity Program to Protect Critical Infrastructure and Open-Source Software with AI

Anthropic has introduced a new program aimed at bolstering cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and open-source software. This initiative combines Anthropic's advanced AI tools, specifically Claude models, with the expertise of various cybersecurity companies. The program involves Anthropic engineers and threat research collaborating with partners such as Accenture, Booz Allen, CrowdStrike, Deloitte, Dragos, Hitachi, Insane Cyber, Nozomi Networks, Palo Alto Networks, PwC, and Rockwell Automation. The goal is to identify and remediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Anthropic has already provided its frontier models and technical support to over half of U.S. states and major critical infrastructure operators, assisting with code scanning, patching, incident response, and red teaming activities. The company emphasizes that while AI cannot solve all critical infrastructure defense challenges, it can significantly help in finding and fixing weaknesses before they are exploited to disrupt essential services...
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Anthropic Launches AI-Powered Cybersecurity Initiatives for Open Source and Critical Infrastructure

Anthropic Launches AI-Powered Cybersecurity Initiatives for Open Source and Critical Infrastructure

Anthropic has unveiled two new cybersecurity initiatives: the OSS Scanner and the Critical Infrastructure Defense Program (CIDP). The OSS Scanner is a free service that uses Anthropic's advanced Claude models to periodically scan open-source projects for vulnerabilities. These AI-generated reports are sent directly to maintainers without human review, aiming to fast-track the disclosure process, though Anthropic acknowledges potential inaccuracies in severity ratings. The company expects a true-positive rate above 90% and plans to improve it over time. The CIDP focuses on enhancing the security of operational technology (OT) providers for critical infrastructure sectors like power, water, manufacturing, and transportation. This program involves frontier Claude models, on-site engineers, and Anthropic's threat research, partnering with 11 firms including Accenture, Deloitte, and Palo Alto Networks, to address the challenge of patching OT systems that often cannot be taken offline for extended periods.
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Nebraska Governor Declares Emergency Following Cyberattack on Lincoln County and North Platte

Nebraska Governor Declares Emergency Following Cyberattack on Lincoln County and North Platte

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency in response to a cyberattack that has significantly impacted Lincoln County and the city of North Platte. The proclamation authorizes the deployment of the Nebraska National Guard Cyber Protection Team to assist local jurisdictions. According to a news release from Lincoln County, the incident involved a breach in software used by both the county and the city, leading to widespread disruptions in internet and phone services. While 911 and other emergency services remain operational, some city and all county phones are currently down. The North Platte Public Safety Building's phones are functional, but the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office phones are not. Officials have stated that there does not appear to be any breach of "pertinent information." The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with state and local partners, including private sector cybersecurity experts, to address the attack and identify its cause.
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Anthropic Unveils Cyber Mission to Enhance U.S. Critical Infrastructure and Open-Source Software Security with AI

Anthropic Unveils Cyber Mission to Enhance U.S. Critical Infrastructure and Open-Source Software Security with AI

Anthropic has launched its Cyber Mission, a long-term commitment to bolster the security of critical infrastructure and open-source software systems. This initiative introduces two key programs: the Critical Infrastructure Defense Program (CIDP) and the OSS Scanner. The CIDP will provide frontier Claude models, on-site engineers, and threat research to trusted providers securing operational technology (OT) in sectors like power grids, water systems, and transportation networks. Founding partners include Accenture, Booz Allen, CrowdStrike, Deloitte, and Palo Alto Networks. The OSS Scanner offers free, regular security scans from Anthropic's most capable models to open-source projects, providing reports with potential bug exploitation proofs, explanations, and suggested fixes. This move comes as AI models are increasingly available to attackers, and Anthropic aims to shift the advantage towards defense by deploying AI-powered tools and expertise where resource shortages are most acute.
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Amazon Web Services Seeks Manager for Bespoke Solutions Team to Enhance Network Development Engineering

Amazon Web Services Seeks Manager for Bespoke Solutions Team to Enhance Network Development Engineering

Amazon Web Services Seeks Manager for Bespoke Solutions Team to Enhance Network Development Engineering
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U.S. Intelligence Community Seeks Accelerated Commercial Technology Adoption Amidst Budget Realities

U.S. Intelligence Community Seeks Accelerated Commercial Technology Adoption Amidst Budget Realities

The U.S. intelligence community (IC) is actively working to improve its acquisition and adoption of commercial technology, including software, cloud computing, geospatial intelligence, and cybersecurity. This effort aims to bridge the gap between the rapid evolution of commercial technology and the slower pace of government procurement, security, and integration processes. IC agencies are utilizing various agile acquisition methods, such as commercial solutions openings, broad agency announcements, and prize challenges, to accelerate the entry of commercial solutions. However, these pathways do not bypass requirements for competition, security, fiscal discipline, and oversight. Mid-market contractors are encouraged to align their offerings with specific mission needs, integrate security as a design feature, and understand budget realities, including the impact of Continuing Resolutions (CRs), to successfully scale their technologies within the IC.
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FBI Seizes Cyber Tools Used by Chinese Hackers Targeting U.S. Critical Infrastructure

FBI Seizes Cyber Tools Used by Chinese Hackers Targeting U.S. Critical Infrastructure

The FBI and Justice Department have announced the seizure of cyber tools, specifically 'Microscan' and 'FishHub,' used by a hacking group known as Flax Typhoon, which officials associate with the Chinese government. These tools were employed to scan, phish, and hack various targets, including critical infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad. Among the identified targets were an unnamed U.S. power company, Japanese and Polish airports, Taiwanese universities, a multinational non-governmental organization, and Taiwanese critical infrastructure companies. This action represents the latest in a series of law enforcement efforts to counter the widespread hacking campaign. The FBI Cyber Division Deputy Assistant Director Jason Bilnoski described the hacking operation as 'indiscriminate and reckless.' The tools were operated by Integrity Technology Group, a Chinese-based information security company that the FBI identifies as closely associated with the Chinese government and the true identity of Flax Typhoon.
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Anthropic Expands Critical Infrastructure Security Program with 11 Founding Partners

Anthropic Expands Critical Infrastructure Security Program with 11 Founding Partners

Anthropic has expanded its critical infrastructure security efforts by launching a new program that provides its Claude AI models, threat research, and on-site engineers to 11 founding partners. This initiative targets vital sectors including power grids, water systems, transportation networks, factories, communications, and government systems. The founding partners include major players like Accenture, Booz Allen, CrowdStrike, Deloitte, Dragos, Hitachi, Insane Cyber, Nozomi Networks, Palo Alto Networks, PwC, and Rockwell Automation. Anthropic's approach places these security vendors, consultants, system integrators, and equipment manufacturers as intermediaries between Claude and infrastructure operators. This model acknowledges that advanced AI cannot autonomously replace the specialized knowledge required to modify and secure operational technology (OT) systems. The program aims to leverage AI to find and repair vulnerabilities, with human operators and established vendors retaining the ultimate decisio...
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Quantum Computing Poses Long-Term Cybersecurity Risk for Community Banks, Requires Proactive Vendor Management

Quantum Computing Poses Long-Term Cybersecurity Risk for Community Banks, Requires Proactive Vendor Management

Quantum Computing Poses Long-Term Cybersecurity Risk for Community Banks, Requires Proactive Vendor Management
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GAO Warns of 'Catastrophic' Economic Risk from Unpreparedness for Quantum Computers

GAO Warns of 'Catastrophic' Economic Risk from Unpreparedness for Quantum Computers

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) warns that the nation's failure to prepare for the advent of Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers (CRQCs) could have 'catastrophic' consequences for the U.S. economy and national security. CRQCs are capable of breaking most existing encryption methods, posing a significant threat to cybersecurity. The GAO's analysis echoes concerns from technology and cybersecurity experts about a hypothetical 'Q-Day,' where quantum computers could be used by malicious actors to crack billions of passwords and disrupt other encryption methods, leading to widespread financial crimes. The report indicates that only one federal agency has fully addressed one of the three practices reviewed by the GAO regarding quantum threats to cryptography.
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U.S. Electric Grid Modernization Faces Regulatory Hurdles Amid Surging Demand

U.S. Electric Grid Modernization Faces Regulatory Hurdles Amid Surging Demand

The U.S. electric grid is under increasing pressure to modernize due to a sharp rise in electricity demand, driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, domestic manufacturing, and industrial electrification. This surge follows nearly two decades of relatively flat growth. A report by Clean Tomorrow highlights that grid congestion cost the United States over $12 billion in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades. A significant barrier to faster modernization is the current regulatory and business model, where utilities typically earn returns based on large capital investments. This structure disincentivizes technologies that reduce the need for new construction, even if they lower consumer costs. Consequently, utilities invest only about 0.1% of their revenue in research and development, significantly lower than the 5.1% average across other industries. The report also points to severe weather events, rising equipment costs, and transmission bottlenecks as factors increasing expe...
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The FBI has seized tools used by Chinese hackers for cyber operations, officials say

The FBI has seized tools used by Chinese hackers for cyber operations, officials say

The FBI has seized scanning and phishing tools used by a group of hackers that officials say is associated with the Chinese government and that is responsible for disruptive cyber operations in the United States and abroad, including against the power industry, academia and critical infrastructure