Newsom announces AI-driven cybersecurity program amid Suisun City cyberattack

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an AI Cyber Defense Program to be rolled out across state government agencies, aiming to use artificial intelligence to defend systems against cyber threats. The announcement came days after malicious software disrupted Suisun City’s IT systems. On Aug. 7, the attack forced city officials to relocate emergency dispatch services to a nearby county and shut down city IT systems, with other services still disrupted. Newsom said faster and more sophisticated attacks pose risks to core systems families rely on, and he cited “recent disclosures by leading AI developers” as part of the program’s impetus. State agencies will be asked to designate an AI cybersecurity officer, and local governments will receive expanded AI-enabled defense capabilities.