AI/ML OpenAI’s new Astra model may pose critical cybersecurity risks August 10, 2026 Share By SC Staff (Credit: ymgerman – stock.adobe.com) OpenAI disclosed that one of its unreleased large language models, known as Astra, may pose a significant cybersecurity risk. The algorithm, which recently solved 10 long-running math problems, could qualify for a critical designation under OpenAI's Preparedness Framework, as reported by Silicon Angle. Astra is the first of OpenAI's large language models to potentially receive a critical cybersecurity risk rating. This designation is based on recent tests indicating the model might be capable of finding zero-day exploits in hardened systems without human assistance or launching cyberattacks based on high-level goals. OpenAI is mitigating these risks by restricting Astra's access to the public web and developing it within sandboxed environments with limited network and tool permissions. The company is also enhancing security measures to prevent the theft of Astra's code, focusing on the encryption of its weights. Internal AI agents powered by Astra are monitored for malicious activity by analyzing their chain of thought. OpenAI plans to share its cybersecurity workflows with third-party testing partners, government agencies, and AI safety organizations. Source: Silicon Angle An In-Depth Guide to AI Get essential knowledge and practical strategies to use AI to better your security program. Learn More SC Staff Related Black Hat Talk to the LLM: How AI exposes ‘pig butchering’ scams Paul Wagenseil August 10, 2026 A security researcher is using AI to study and expose long-duration scams that abuse online trust. AI/ML Scammers use AI deepfakes to impersonate OnlyFans creators SC Staff August 10, 2026 The fraudulent scheme involves creating fake identities using AI to generate deepfakes of real OnlyFans creators. AI/ML AI inference attacks pose new data privacy risks SC Staff August 10, 2026 Gartner predicts that by 2029, most privacy incidents will arise from AI-generated inferences rather than direct exposure of personal information. 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