A Columbia University-hosted benchmark that tests AI agents on reverse engineering complex binary software. The page reports results from evaluations run with OpenAI, stating that GPT-6 Astra solves nearly all tasks while other evaluated models stay below 60%, and describes pilot evaluations of harder settings.
Asaf Ezra and Steph Zhang argue that AI is reducing the expertise and time needed to turn vulnerabilities into exploits while patching remains slow. The essay discusses the gap between exploitation and remediation using incidents and historical comparisons.
8-hour online jeopardy CTF, teams of 1-4, explicitly described as 'free and open to participants across India and internationally.' Marked 'casual' by organizers. Runs Nov 14, 15:30-23:30 UTC.
Details: This is the one CTF this week that explicitly states it's free on its own page, which is a nice confirmation versus the usual implied-free pattern. Times are UTC.
Quest Diagnostics’ notice, updated October 23, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET, reports unauthorized access to its Quanum Lab Services Manager system. Quest says some patient data was accessed, the affected access was paused, and its investigation is continuing. Includes provider and patient FAQs; the extent of affected data was not yet established.
Calif’s October 16, 2026 post presents videos of iPhone security demonstrations shown at Hexacon in Paris, including Signal and iMessage one-click exploits and a persistent jailbreak. These are the researchers’ demonstrations; the post says further technical material will be released later.
Evaluates open-weight and proprietary AI models on exploit generation, vulnerability repair and subsequent attacks in five nonpublic software environments, using researcher-developed deterministic graders rather than LLM judges. Repair scores exceed attack scores in two environments and fall below them in three. Preprint, not yet peer-reviewed.
Microsoft describes how workplace AI agents can create insider risk through access to company systems and data. It outlines external controls for agent identity, least-privilege permissions, monitoring, and containment, alongside its Project Perception security approach.
#AI agents#cybersecurity#identity and access management
CSO reports cybersecurity experts’ assessments that unauthorized system-access incidents involving AI models reflect weaknesses in containment and security practices rather than independent intent. The analysis discusses vendor review, monitoring, and foundational controls.
An OpenAI Daybreak initiative, with Trail of Bits, Calif and HackerOne, that validates AI-found vulnerabilities in open-source projects, tests patches, and coordinates disclosure with maintainers. Projects can apply to take part.
OpenAI describes leading a coalition of maintainers, researchers and security providers to address critical PHP vulnerabilities, including a flaw identified by Calif using GPT-5.6 Sol through the Patch the Planet program.
The PHP Foundation announces PHP 8.5.12, 8.4.27, 8.3.36 and 8.2.35, which fix two critical flaws allowing unauthenticated code execution under certain conditions, and outlines its plans to strengthen PHP security.
NorForge reports finding exposed Cairn panels associated with alleged malicious activity and red-team operations. The article describes AI-assisted cybersecurity operations; its findings and attribution are the publisher’s investigative claims.
NSA-maintained software analysis framework supporting disassembly, decompilation and scripting for inspecting compiled programs. The repository is available under the Apache License 2.0.
An October 20, 2026 ISC2 announcement of a coalition of employers, tech companies and workforce groups that will build a toolkit describing how cybersecurity jobs, roles and skills are changing with AI.
Free virtual session with a U.S. Army veteran and cybersecurity educator covering certifications, veteran-focused training and academic pathways into cybersecurity careers. Eventbrite registration is required; the official listing does not require WiCyS membership.
Cloud Security Alliance reviews gaps in existing governance and cybersecurity frameworks for autonomous, tool-using AI agents. The research note recommends internal agent oversight and controls while formal standards develop.
A blog post from OpenAI describing its Trusted Access for Cyber pilot, an identity and trust-based framework intended to expand access to cyber-capable frontier models for defensive security work while reducing misuse risk.
An announcement from Anthropic describing an expanded version of its Cyber Verification Program, which gives qualifying security professionals access to advanced cyber capabilities and reduced blocking classifiers in its models.
OpenAI customer story (October 9, 2026) on Sophos combining OpenAI models with its own threat intelligence through the Daybreak cyber partner program. OpenAI and Sophos report a 96% reduction in investigation time and 52% of managed detection cases resolved end to end by AI. A company case study, not a product launch.
The online application portal for SANS Technology Institute cybersecurity programs: undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates and single courses. Applying requires a SANS.org account; program questions go to info@sans.edu. The programs themselves charge tuition — see the SANS.edu admissions pages for details.
Grant program from Okta Learning providing eligible United States residents free access to Okta's on-demand identity and access management courses, a certification exam voucher, and a practice exam. Intended for people laid off from technical roles, veterans and military spouses moving into civilian roles, and cybersecurity students. The page includes an announcement about paused applications; check it for the current status.