Tenable says AI expands cyber risks for state, local critical infrastructure
TENB•Tenable warned that AI adoption is expanding cybersecurity risks for state and local critical infrastructure. Nearly 90% of state CIOs rated attacks on critical systems a high concern, while 73% of states responding to the 2026 State CIO Survey included infrastructure cybersecurity in whole-of-state plans.
1. Growing exposure
Tenable said unauthorized AI applications, embedded software features and automated reconnaissance are increasing exposure across aging operational technology systems, while attackers exploit under-resourced agencies. Its analysis recommended shared defenses and prioritizing exploitable vulnerabilities as federal funding shrinks.
