OpenAI plans $1 billion in AI tools for critical-infrastructure security
The Justice Department is urging whistleblowers to come forward about potential cyber fraud by federal contractors, following a year in which the department settled eight such cases, the Wall Street Journal Pro Cybersecurity newsletter reported. Settlements in those cases ranged from $293,771 to $11,253,400, according to the newsletter.
The whistleblower appeal follows last year’s settlements against federal contractors accused of cybersecurity-rule violations. Whistleblowers in the settled cases have included a director of engineering, a director for platform management, and cybersecurity team members, according to the newsletter. The Justice Department is signaling that additional cases are expected and is encouraging insiders at companies with federal contracts to come forward with allegations of potential cyber fraud.
OpenAI separately announced plans to provide $1 billion worth of subsidized access to AI tools and services to electricity providers and other critical infrastructure operators worldwide, according to Axios, as cited by the newsletter. The program, called Daybreak, will also include work with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center to train local governments on using AI for security, the company said.
The Defense Department is preparing to release its updated cyber strategy as early as Tuesday, NextGov reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The plan is expected to outline how the Pentagon will integrate cyber tactics into military operations, with an emphasis on offensive actions and new training requirements. The department’s most recent cyber strategy was issued in 2023.
Zscaler reported fiscal fourth-quarter results on Thursday that showed revenue rose 25% year over year, driven in part by demand for the company’s cybersecurity offerings from customers using AI, according to The Wall Street Journal. The San Jose, Calif.-based company posted a quarterly loss of $3.37 million, narrower than the $17.6 million loss reported a year earlier. Zscaler also announced a restructuring that will cut 3% of its workforce as it reallocates resources toward AI and growth initiatives.