Guidance for Secure AI Integration in Operational Technology
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre and other international organizations, has released new guidance outlining principles for the secure integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into operational technology (OT) environments. The guidance addresses the unique risks posed by machine learning, large language models, and AI agents in critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for education, risk assessment, governance, and embedding safety and security into AI-enabled OT systems. Key recommendations include continuous testing of AI models, regulatory compliance, and integrating AI into incident response plans to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of OT environments.
This initiative comes amid a broader context of increasing cyber risks to industrial control systems (ICS) and OT, as highlighted by a significant rise in internet-exposed ICS devices and a surge in vulnerability disclosures across hundreds of vendors and products. CISA’s ongoing advisories and collaborative efforts underscore the urgency for critical infrastructure operators to adopt robust security practices, including those specific to AI integration, to defend against evolving threats targeting essential services and industrial environments.
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How this story unfolded
2 events from the most recent confirmed update back to the earliest known activity.
Industry reporting highlights safety and security risks from AI in OT
Subsequent coverage summarized the new joint guidance, emphasizing risks such as model drift, poor training data, limited explainability, hallucinations, operator overload, and increased dependence on cloud and third-party components in critical infrastructure OT environments.
CISA and international partners publish AI-in-OT security guidance
CISA, Australia, the NSA, and other partner agencies published joint guidance titled "Principles for the Secure Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Operational Technology." The document warns that using AI in OT and ICS environments can introduce new attack surfaces, safety risks, and operational failures, and recommends governance, vendor transparency, and stronger data and access controls.
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US, Allies Warn AI in OT May Undermine System Safety
govinfosecurity.com
Open sourceUS, Allies Warn AI in OT May Undermine System Safety
bankinfosecurity.com
Open sourceAI creates new security risks for OT networks, warns NSA
csoonline.com
Open sourceCISA, Australia, and Partners Author Joint Guidance on Securely Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Operational Technology
cisa.gov
Open sourceCISA Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Advisories Recap for 2025
socradar.io
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CISA Guidance on AI Integration Risks in Operational Technology
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with international partners, has issued guidance warning operators of critical infrastructure and industrial control systems about the risks of rapidly integrating artificial intelligence into operational technology environments. The guidance includes high-level principles and a checklist of questions for vendors, emphasizing that AI should not be treated as a 'magical black box' but as software that introduces new attack surfaces and risks. CISA's recommendations urge organizations to consider secure-by-design practices and to thoroughly assess the security implications before deploying AI in OT systems. This advisory comes amid a surge in efforts by OT technology vendors to embed AI into their products over the past 18 to 24 months. The guidance highlights the need for proper risk management and governance, as the rush to adopt AI could expose critical infrastructure to new vulnerabilities if not carefully managed. Operators are encouraged to engage with vendors about their AI development and deployment practices to ensure robust security controls are in place.
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