Virginia’s Cybersecurity in the AI Age | Richmond News

Virginia’s CIO Mike Watson remains confident in the state’s cybersecurity defenses despite rising threats fueled by artificial intelligence, which is making attacks more complex and dangerous. Leading the charge for 65 state agencies and 55,000 employees through the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, VITA focuses on proactive protection and rapid breach containment. While national confidence in data security has plummeted—from 48% to just 22%—Watson insists Virginia is prepared, investing $285 million with General Dynamics and adapting strategies to evolving risks like ransomware. He acknowledges no system is foolproof, but emphasizes that public trust depends on safeguarding sensitive data from exploitation. With AI both amplifying threats and offering potential solutions, Virginia’s IT leaders are racing to stay ahead of attackers while navigating funding challenges. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/40508eb7f4e5f4f6