CIS and OpenAI Partner to Launch AI Cyber Defense Pilot for Infrastructure and Public Sector
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) has partnered with OpenAI to launch a specialized AI Cyber Defense Pilot aimed at protecting U.S. state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government entities as well as critical infrastructure operators from rising cybersecurity threats. The collaboration focuses on deploying advanced artificial intelligence systems to identify software vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and automate security operations for resource-constrained defenders.
The initiative will leverage operational expertise from the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), a national community that defends local public sector IT networks. According to CIS data, nearly 80 percent of local government security units operate with fewer than five dedicated IT defense staff members, making them vulnerable to sophisticated cyber intrusions and ransomware attacks.
Under the pilot program, OpenAI and CIS will assess how generative AI and automated threat detection tools can help defenders prioritize remediation steps, reduce response times, and maintain strong cyber hygiene. The lessons gathered from participating municipalities and infrastructure managers will serve as a template for deploying trustworthy AI defenses across essential public services, ensuring water systems, energy grids, and administrative databases remain secure against modern threats.
