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State CISOs Report Lower Confidence Across the Public Sector Cyber Ecosystem, 2026 NASCIO-Deloitte Survey Finds

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The 2026 National Association of Chief Information Officers – Deloitte biennial cybersecurity study finds state officials face increasingly sophisticated threats, including new artificial intelligence-enabled tactics, and highlights steps CISOs are taking to better protect public data and critical digital services

NEW YORK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 

Key takeaways

The survey of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from all 50 states and two territories found that just 26% of state CISOs are “extremely” or “very” confident that their state’s information assets are protected from cyber threats, down from 48% in 2022.Implementing effectiveness metrics is now CISOs’ top priority: 49% named it a top cybersecurity initiative in 2026, up from 15% in 2022.Nearly all state CISOs (94%) said they are involved in developing Generative AI security policies and 84% are involved in Generative AI strategy development.Budget pressure is rising with 16% of CISOs reporting their budgets have been cut, up from none in 2024.The percentage of CISOs who described themselves as “not very confident” in the ability of local government and public higher education to secure public data rose significantly, from 35% in 2022 to 63% in 2026.

Why this decline in confidence matters
States share data and systems with counties, cities, and public colleges and universities, so a vulnerability in one network can cascade, exposing personal information, disrupting essential services and driving costly incident response. As attackers adopt AI-enabled tactics, the urgency is growing for faster coordination, clearer policy and stronger baseline defenses across the public sector. This may explain why roughly one-fifth of CISOs indicated that their states were moving toward a “whole-of-state” approach to cybersecurity.

Metrics reporting becomes CISOs’ top priority
Top priorities for CISOs have shifted since the 2024 survey. When asked to identify their states’ top cybersecurity initiatives for 2026, half of CISOs named implementing effectiveness metrics (49%, up from 25% in 2024 and 15% in 2022). Capturing the effectiveness of cyber spending can be difficult, but without metrics, it is challenging to show the benefits of investments. Tracking operational, compliance and risk-based key performance indicators, such as incident response time and phishing click rate, can help demonstrate the return on cyber investment.

AI both accelerates threats and becomes a frontline defense
AI is accelerating the scale and sophistication of attacks targeting public sector systems, making it easier and cheaper for adversaries to generate and automate cyberattacks. CISOs also point to an emerging threat toolkit, including deepfakes that can fool people and evade detection, AI agents that probe for weaknesses and adapt, and AI-driven ransomware-as-a-service operations.

At the same time, CISOs describe AI as a practical way to keep pace, using it to triage security alerts, summarize events, and explore faster report creation, threat identification and training. Several states are already utilizing Generative AI in core security operations, including security information and event management (SIEM) and security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR). The report also underscores how central CISOs have become to state AI efforts.

Key quotes
“We’re seeing more states move toward a ‘whole-of-state’ cybersecurity approach where the state helps extend protection beyond state agencies to local governments, public education and other critical entities that can become an entry point for attackers. At its core, it’s about scaling capabilities through shared services and better collaboration so a weakness in one part of the ecosystem doesn’t become a statewide incident. Many states are looking to scale capabilities through security operations centers and regional support, so counties, cities and schools can benefit from the same cyber-defense muscle as the enterprise.”

Mike Wyatt, Stale local and higher education cyber risk leader, Deloitte

“It’s an encouraging development that state CISOs are being placed at the center of Generative AI security. They are helping shape the strategy, establishing security policies and reviewing proposed use cases. By being involved from the beginning, CISOs are helping governments move faster without sacrificing safeguards because security and governance complement each other. We’re also seeing CISOs explore practical uses of AI to strengthen day-to-day defense, while putting clearer guardrails around responsible uses.”

Meredith Ward, deputy executive director, NASCIO

Additional data
To read the 2026 NASCIO-Deloitte report in its entirety, click here.

About NASCIO
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte & Touche LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

 

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SOURCE Deloitte

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The Second Global Business Summit on BRI Infrastructure to Accelerate the SDGs Held in Singapore

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September 6, 2026

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Second Global Business Summit on Belt and Road Infrastructure Investment to Accelerate the SDGs was held in Singapore under the theme “Connect for Better World.” The Summit was organized by the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs Action Platform, co-organized by UN Global Compact Network Singapore.

The Summit convened over 300 senior leaders and representatives of international organizations, global and regional enterprises, civil society organizations, academics and think tanks, launching a dozen of Sustainability-driven joint actions and innovative partnerships led by private sector with a view to unlock opportunities of BRI infrastructure cooperation to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Summit adopted a declaration setting out business priorities for sustainable infrastructure, responsible AI, just energy transition, global supply chains resilience, sustainable finance, women and youth empowerment in digital era and international cooperation in traditional medicine. The Summit launched expert groups on sustainable energy and sustainable digital infrastructure, alongside 12 SDG-driven outcomes covering green mining, electricity carbon-footprint standards, biodiversity conservation, ocean protection, sustainable transport, women’s microenterprise growth and inclusive global development, led by private sector pioneers.

UN Assistant Secretary general, CEO of UN Global Compact Ms. Sanda Ojiambo noted resilient infrastructure is key to long-term sustainable development. She emphasized: “the initiatives being launched today – from new expert groups on sustainable energy and digital infrastructure to new guidance on biodiversity, green minerals, and responsible AI – demonstrate that meaningful progress depends on collaboration across borders, sectors, and value chains.” Through the BRI for SDGs Action Platform, she added, “companies are joining forces to develop practical guidance, share expertise, and collaborate on solutions that can be applied across industries and regions.”

Mr. Selwin Hart, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition said: “Through the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese businesses and financial institutions can help connect China’s extraordinary clean energy capabilities with the enormous growth opportunities across the developing world. The next chapter of the energy transition must show what cooperation at scale can achieve. Because in a divided world, our greatest opportunities will come not from retreating behind borders, but from building bridges — connecting markets, mobilizing investment, sharing solutions and creating prosperity together.“

2026 kicks start the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety Mr. Jean Todt noted the Belt and Road Initiative is one of the world’s largest infrastructure and connectivity efforts. Its scale must be matched by an equally strong commitment to safety. Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of United Nations concluded the Summit by appealing “No single country can tackle today’s complex connectivity challenges in isolation. Cooperation, between governments, international organizations, financial institutions and the private sector, is crucial for keeping us connected. The Belt and Road Initiative stands as a prime example of cross-border connectivity in action.“

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Mr. Stephen Jackson, UN resident coordinator in China and Mr. Nikolas Myint, UN resident coordinator in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam highlighted importance role of the Summit to foster cross-border collaboration while noted China, Singapore and ASEAN region’s contribution to regional stability and global progress towards the SDGs.

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SOURCE UN Global Compact

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TCL Showcases AI Inspired Life at IFA 2026 Through Its Screen Universe

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September 6, 2026

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From next-generation displays and AI-powered smart home experiences to sports-inspired moments, TCL presents an immersive vision of everyday life in the AI era.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL today unveiled its vision for an AI Inspired Life at IFA 2026 through the “Inspiration Habitat,” an immersive smart-living environment that brings together next-generation displays, AI-powered smart home experiences and sustainable energy solutions. Built around TCL’s Screen Universe, the exhibition shows how screens across forms and applications are evolving into intelligent interfaces connecting people with content, services and the physical world.

With the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 taking place in Berlin during IFA, TCL is extending this vision from the exhibition floor to sports-inspired fan experiences, showing how display innovation and AI-enabled living can bring the energy of the court closer to everyday life.

“At IFA 2026, TCL is showing how AI and display innovation can create more intuitive, immersive and human-centered experiences,” said Daniel Sun, CTO of TCL Industries. “Through our Screen Universe, TCL is turning advanced display technologies and AI capabilities into tangible home experiences.”

TCL’s Screen Universe Turns Display Innovation into Everyday Intelligence

At IFA 2026, TCL brought together voices from technology, entertainment and creative industries to examine how larger screens, improved picture quality and intelligent interaction are shaping immersive home entertainment.

A key highlight is the TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV, which delivers up to 100% BT.2020 All-Scene Wide Color Gamut, precise dimming and up to HDR 10,000 nits peak brightness through next-generation display technologies. TCL also introduced RayNeo GT Max AR Glasses, the world’s first Dolby Vision-certified AR glasses, extending premium viewing beyond the living room into personal, mobile scenarios.

AI Inspired Life: Intelligence That Lives in Everyday Moments

Through the latest NXTHOME™ ecosystem, TCL presents a future-oriented approach to connected living, where smart displays, connected home appliances, AI experiences, interior design and sustainable living create a home environment that adapts to people’s needs.

The AiMe Family Companion Robot brings intelligent technology to life through natural multimodal interaction and lifelike motion control. TCL’s AI-powered appliances, including the FreshIN 3.0 Ultra Air Conditioner, TCL Free Built-in Refrigerator and TCL AI SuperDrum Laundry Tower P9 Ultra, translate AI capabilities into practical experiences across air care, food storage and laundry care.

Inspire Your Passion: Bringing the Thrill of Sport Beyond the Court

From the Olympic Games to the world’s top arenas, TCL continues to use sport as a powerful way to connect people through shared moments of passion, performance and possibility that Inspire Greatness in everyday life.

With IFA 2026 and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 both taking place in Berlin, TCL is bringing the energy of women’s basketball into its Inspiration Habitat through basketball-inspired experiences and fan interactions. TCL is embedding the spirit of #TCLforHer across its activations and global communications, celebrating the confidence, resilience and ambition represented by women’s basketball.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tcl-showcases-ai-inspired-life-at-ifa-2026-through-its-screen-universe-302870862.html

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VITG Unveils Modern Managed Services and Managed Detection & Response as Part of a Broader AI and Cybersecurity Transformation across ANZ

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September 6, 2026

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SYDNEY, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As organisations across Australia and New Zealand navigate the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, and growing governance requirements, Virtual IT Group   (VITG) has announced the launch of Modern Managed Services  (MMS)  and Managed Detection & Response  (MDR) , that are next-generation managed services and managed security offerings designed to help organisations remain secure, resilient and ready for what’s next.

Modern Managed Services delivers a Modern Defensible Architecture framework for managed IT operations, ensuring security controls, governance frameworks and operational best practices are embedded and continuously maintained. Complementing this, Managed Detection & Response provides organisations with 24×7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) capability, actively monitoring, investigating and responding to threats using advanced security analytics and response technologies.

Jeremy Nees , Chief Product Officer, VITG , said:

“Too often, organisations purchase managed services only to discover they do not have the standard level of security they need. As businesses adopt AI, the old-world IT solutions that Managed Service Providers (MSP) are selling are simply not going to cut it. We’ve baked common security requirements into the MMS service from day one, applying the key principles of Modern Defensible Architecture: Secure-by-Design, Defense in Depth, and Zero Trust.

MDR and ZDR   can be layered on top or are available independently if you have your own IT service or team. The push to adopt AI is leaving security gaps across the ANZ mid-market. Our goal is to provide customers with technology that is secure, resilient, and ready for what’s next.”

The launch marks VITG’s second major solution release of the year, following the introduction of its Zero Trust Consulting Practice  and Zero Trust Detection & Response  (ZDR)  offering earlier in 2026. It is also the Group’s first launch since acquiring cybersecurity outfit Security Centric , building on the addition of Auckland based The Instillery  in 2025 and further strengthening VITG’s capabilities across managed services, cloud, cybersecurity, data and AI. VITG is also advancing a dedicated Data & AI Practice and Momentum, a continuous improvement framework currently being piloted with customers ahead of a market launch later this year.

Since joining VITG  at the start of the year, Maurice McCarthy , Chief Executive Officer , is committed to moving at pace to meet the demand that has been created off the back of the market’s rapid adoption of AI.   

McCarthy said, “The traditional managed services model was built for a different era. Today’s organisations need partners that can help them unlock the value of data and AI while strengthening cybersecurity, managing risk, and continuously evolving their technology environment.

Through the acquisition of Security Centric and The Instillery we have brought together market-leading expertise across managed services, data and AI, and cybersecurity. This launch is the first of several innovations we will introduce as we help organisations accelerate transformation and realise greater value from AI.”

Sash Vasilevski , Chief Security Officer, VITG , said:

“The technology businesses are using to unlock the value of AI, integrate systems, and build strong data foundations, is rapidly introducing new risks and attack surfaces.

As business leaders accelerate their adoption of AI, the gap between the threats they face and the security capabilities they have in place is growing faster than many businesses realise.”

Modern Managed Services and Managed Detection & Response are available immediately.

For more information, visit:

Modern Managed Services (MMS)

Managed Detection & Response (MDR)

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SOURCE Virtual IT Group

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