# Anthropic Launches Critical Infrastructure Defense Program

Anthropic launched the Critical Infrastructure Defense Program (CIDP), providing participating security providers with access to its AI models, on-site engineering support, and cyberthreat research to help identify and remediate operational technology vulnerabilities. Eleven companies are founding participants. Other security vendors, integrators, and equipment makers serving critical-infrastructure customers can submit an expression of interest as Anthropic plans to expand the program in the coming months. The initiative also offers free, opt-in periodic scans for open-source projects. It is not a public procurement solicitation, and the signals identify no contract award, funding amount, or procurement contact.

- Security vendors, integrators, and equipment makers that serve critical-infrastructure customers can submit an expression of interest; no submission deadline is specified.
- For contractors, CIDP signals potential demand for AI-enabled vulnerability assessment and remediation services, but participation should not be treated as an active contract opportunity.
- Procurement teams and operators evaluating AI-supported cyber defense should account for the reported uncertainty around access, computing costs, and safeguards for applying fixes in operational utility systems.

**Jurisdictions:** federal, sled
**Industries:** Information Technology, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Vendors
- Anthropic (Initiative lead and provider of AI models, engineering support, and cyberthreat research)
- Accenture (Founding cybersecurity program participant)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (Founding cybersecurity program participant)
- CrowdStrike (Cybersecurity program participant)
- Dragos (Cybersecurity program participant)

### Sources
- [Anthropic Introduces Critical Infrastructure Defense Program](https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/anthropic-critical-infrastructure-defense-program-ai-ot) - ExecutiveBiz
- [Anthropic launches AI cybersecurity program for critical infrastructure | Mezha](https://mezha.net/eng/news/3804281f_anthropic_launches_ai) - mezha.net
- [Anthropic rolls out program for ‘long-term commitment’ to secure critical infrastructure, open source software | CyberScoop](https://cyberscoop.com/anthropic-cybersecurity-program-critical-infrastructure-open-source) - CyberScoop