NIST Issues Draft Guidelines for Securing AI Systems

Author

Taylor Hawes
August 21, 2025

✍🏻 From the Editor’s Desk

Over the past week, conversations about AI security have intensified as organizations weigh both opportunity and risk. With critical infrastructure, consumer technology, and financial systems increasingly connected, one question keeps resurfacing: how do we secure innovation without slowing it down?

🔎 Deep Brief

Solar Panels: The New Cybersecurity Frontier

A new report highlights how residential and commercial solar panels are becoming unexpected targets for hackers. Most rooftop systems rely on inverters and internet-connected monitoring tools, which, if compromised, could be exploited to disrupt local grids or serve as entry points into broader networks.

Researchers warn that cybercriminals could manipulate energy flows, disable monitoring, or even launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks using large numbers of vulnerable systems. With solar adoption rising across the U.S. and Europe, these risks extend beyond individual households to critical infrastructure resilience.

Experts suggest that stronger encryption, regular firmware updates, and segmented network design are key first steps for both consumers and installers. Governments are also being urged to update grid security policies to account for distributed energy resources. As the push for renewable energy accelerates, securing rooftop solar may soon be as important as scaling it. 

🧠 Strategy in Action

Smart Manufacturing’s Cybersecurity Shift

Rockwell Automation’s State of Smart Manufacturing report shows how factories are redesigning cybersecurity strategies to match their digital growth. Manufacturers are increasingly blending IT and OT defenses as cloud adoption, connected devices, and AI-driven systems reshape production lines.

Surveyed leaders revealed that cyber risk now ranks alongside supply chain disruption as a top operational concern. To counter this, many are investing in zero trust models, enhanced identity controls, and continuous monitoring across industrial systems. The report also notes a cultural shift: cybersecurity is moving from a compliance task to a core business enabler.

👉 Takeaway: By aligning security with efficiency and resilience, manufacturers are proving that digital transformation and strong cyber defense can grow together.

⚖️ Regulation Radar

NIST Issues Draft Guidelines for Securing AI Systems

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released new control overlays designed to help organizations secure AI models and applications. These overlays adapt existing NIST frameworks to address unique AI risks, such as adversarial inputs, model theft, and data poisoning. 

What IT leaders should know.

  • Overlays are intended to complement—not replace—existing cybersecurity frameworks.

  • Organizations adopting AI should prepare for new compliance benchmarks tied to these guidelines.

  • Security teams should review AI supply chains, particularly third-party data and model dependencies.

  • The guidance signals that AI security is moving from optional best practice to expected standard.

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🛠️ Tool Check

Best Infrastructure Monitoring Tools

Keeping infrastructure healthy is central to security. Comparitech reviewed the top platforms for monitoring networks, servers, and applications.

Top tools are: 

  1. Progress WhatsUp Gold – Best for mid-sized or large enterprises.

  2. eG Enterprise IT Infrastructure Monitoring – Best for mid-sized businesses managing both on-premises and cloud resources.

  3. Site24x7 Server Monitoring – Best for flexible cloud plans that work for small and large teams alike.

  4. ManageEngine OpManager Plus – Best all-in-one solution for businesses.

  5. Netdata – Best for real-time monitoring of infrastructure and applications.

  6. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor – Best for sensor-based monitoring across networks, servers, and applications.

🗣️ Community Signal

“I very strongly believe that AI will be more advantageous for defenders than offense.” Alexei Bulazel, the White House’s top cyber official.

📚 Don’t Miss This

🗳️ Your Take - The Results

Poll Question: What’s your organization’s biggest challenge in defending against ransomware?

🔗 Stay Connected

Until next week!