Government security Anthropic launches $15 million cyber defense program for state and local governments June 12, 2026 Share By SC Staff (Adobe Stock) Per Statescoop, Anthropic has announced the launch of a new cyber defense program valued at $15 million, designed to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in addressing funding shortfalls and bolstering the security of their critical assets. The initiative offers up to $15 million in Claude credits, which are usage-based units for Anthropic's AI services. Smaller government entities can apply for up to $100,000 in credits, with potential for larger allocations to entities overseeing critical infrastructure like power, water, and transit. These credits can be utilized to identify and remediate vulnerabilities using Anthropic's AI models, including Claude Opus 4.8, Claude Security, and Claude Code, alongside company-provided cyber defense resources. Participants will also receive hands-on support and weekly training from Anthropic's applied AI team. This program aims to help governments counter evolving cyber threats, particularly as sophisticated AI-driven attacks become more prevalent. California and Texas are among the initial participants. The program is distinct from Anthropic's Project Glasswing, a more restricted cybersecurity initiative. This effort comes as many state and local governments face challenges in cybersecurity funding due to shifts in federal programs. Source: Statescoop SC Staff Related Government security California’s new CIO focuses on modernizing legacy systems and AI SC Staff June 12, 2026 Given plans to steer the California Department of Technology (CDT) towards incremental improvements with measurable returns, rather than large-scale, multi-year modernization projects, citing budget limitations. Government security French government messaging platform Tchap breached via hijacked account SC Staff June 9, 2026 The attack on Tchap, a platform developed for the French public sector, reportedly involved a social engineering attack that compromised a user account. Government security Senator introduces bill to restore cybersecurity funding for state and local governments SC Staff June 5, 2026 The proposed "Guaranteeing Universal Access to Cybersecurity Act" seeks to authorize $50 million annually for the MS-ISAC, which is operated by the Center for Internet Security. Get daily email updates SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news Business Email By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Subscribe You can skip this ad in 5 seconds