OpenAI reportedly following Anthropic's lead in restricting access to powerful cybersecurity AI

2026-04-09 · Source: The Decoder · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

OpenAI is reportedly developing a new AI model with advanced cybersecurity capabilities, which will be restricted to a select group of companies, according to Axios. This strategy mirrors Anthropic's recent decision to limit access to its Mythos Preview model due to its powerful hacking potential. OpenAI previously launched its "Trusted Access for Cyber" pilot program in February, following the release of GPT-5.3-Codex, its most capable cybersecurity model. This program provides participants with access to powerful models for defensive security work, supported by $10 million in API credits. The future public availability of OpenAI's new model is uncertain, while Anthropic has stated that Mythos-class models will not be publicly released until sufficient safety measures are established.

Key takeaway

For CTOs and VPs of Engineering evaluating advanced cybersecurity tools, be aware that leading AI models like OpenAI's new offering and Anthropic's Mythos Preview are being released with restricted access. Your teams should investigate participation in programs like OpenAI's "Trusted Access for Cyber" to gain early access to these powerful defensive capabilities, while also tracking the evolving safety guardrails for broader future deployment.

Key insights

Leading AI developers are restricting access to powerful cybersecurity models due to potential misuse.

Principles

• Prioritize safety over broad access
• Controlled release for advanced AI

In practice

• Explore "Trusted Access for Cyber" program
• Monitor Anthropic's Mythos Preview

Topics

• OpenAI
• Anthropic
• Cybersecurity AI
• Restricted Access
• AI Safety

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Executive, AI Security Engineer, Director of AI/ML, Policy Maker

Related on AIssential

• BREAKING: Anthropic’s “Dangerous” AI Model Mythos LEAKED — Controlling access to powerful AI models is as critical as the models' inherent safety.
• OpenAI limits access to new cybersecurity AI model - Latest news from Azerbaijan — Leading AI firms are limiting access to powerful cybersecurity models due to dual-use concerns.
• Cybersecurity experts blast US government for restricting Anthropic’s AI models — The US government's ban on Anthropic's AI models is criticized by experts for hindering defense capabilities and US AI competitiveness without sufficient justification.
• Anthropic’s ‘Too Dangerous to Release’ Model Was Released by Accident — and the Real Story Isn’t… — AI cybersecurity capability hinges on the surrounding system, not solely on frontier models.
• Anthropic’s Mythos rollout has missed America’s cybersecurity agency — CISA's exclusion from Anthropic's Mythos Preview signals potential federal cybersecurity coordination and resource challenges.
• What should we take from Anthropic’s (possibly) terrifying new report on Mythos? — Unreleased AI models like Anthropic's Mythos highlight urgent needs for AI governance and international regulatory frameworks.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Decoder.