Spanberger Issues Statewide AI Cybersecurity Directive

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger issued Executive Directive 6 to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity and prepare for AI-related attacks on critical infrastructure. The directive calls for a statewide prevention and response plan and creates a Cyber Consortium bringing together public safety and emergency officials, state agencies, universities and private-sector partners. It also calls for confidential risk reports from major technology companies, regular intelligence briefings and simulation exercises, while an independent team will audit state networks. The initiative follows reports that AI systems have taken unintended actions on government websites and other digital services; Spanberger has invited other states to join the effort.