Cybersecurity of Artificial Intelligence Technology at USDA

View Report

Date Issued

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Submitting OIG

Department of Agriculture OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Agriculture

Report Number

50801-0018-12

Report Description

We determined that USDA has not fully implemented cybersecurity and governance controls within Artificial Intelligence systems in compliance with federal standards, leaving the agency at risk of data breaches or reputational harm.

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	Yes	$0	$0
Implement controls and Department-wide regulations to ensure high-impact assessments of AI use cases are conducted in compliance with OMB requirements
2	Yes	$0	$0
Review and update all applicable policies and procedures to incorporate AI in compliance with OMB requirements.
3	Yes	$0	$0
Develop and implement a process to continually review and update USDA’s AI inventory.
4	Yes	$0	$0
Develop and implement a process to ensure a risk assessment, ATO determination, and an overall system impact analysis is conducted prior to AI technologies being permitted on the USDA network.