OpenAI has Trusted Access for Cyber and Anthropic has CVP — so does Google offer a similar access program for Gemini's cybersecurity models? The answer is yes, but it works differently: Google's equivalent is called the Fairwind Program, and it is currently aimed mainly at organizations. Individuals can't self-verify the way they can on ChatGPT.
Image: Gemini 3.8 Flash and 3.8 Flash Cyber launch header (Source: Google Blog)
Google's Approach: the Fairwind Program
In early September, Google released Gemini 3.8 Flash Cyber, calling it its most capable cybersecurity model to date, and opened it to a group of trusted defenders through the newly launched Fairwind Program.
Image: Fairwind Program official header (Source: Google Blog)
Unlike regular Gemini models, the Cyber version isn't available just by paying — organizations must first pass Fairwind's institutional review and receive access before they can use it.
Who Can Apply for Fairwind
Fairwind's eligibility bar is clear: only three types of organizations qualify:
- Trusted government agencies
- Critical infrastructure operators
- Software maintainers
According to Google, more than 650 partners worldwide have already joined Fairwind.
Image: Selected Fairwind Program partners (Source: Google Blog)
In other words, individual security researchers, independent white hats, and small security studios that don't fall into any of these categories can't apply directly for now.
Ongoing Compliance Requirements After Approval
Fairwind access isn't a one-time pass. Organizations must keep meeting the following requirements:
- Use phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Restrict internal access to security, incident response, or penetration testing teams
- Log and retain records of employee access
On top of these compliance requirements, Google also runs background checks on applicant organizations. Organizations that don't meet the requirements may be rejected or lose access.
The Rollout Pace from Gemini 3.5 to Gemini 4 Argon
Google's cybersecurity models have consistently followed a "trusted defenders first, wider access later" rollout:
| Model | Access |
|---|---|
| Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber | Limited pilot, offered only through CodeMender to governments and trusted partners |
| Gemini 3.8 Flash Cyber | Open to eligible organizations through the Fairwind Program |
| Gemini 4 Argon | First access goes to a small group of trusted cyber defenders; paid subscribers must wait for further testing |
Image: Gemini 3.8 Flash Cyber's score on the CyberGym vulnerability discovery benchmark, surpassing 3.5 Flash Cyber (Source: Google Blog)
Information as of October 1, 2026. Program scope may change at any time; refer to official announcements.
Key Differences Between Fairwind and OpenAI TAC
OpenAI's Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) offers both individual and enterprise paths: individuals can verify their identity at chatgpt.com/cyber, enterprises apply through an OpenAI representative, and there are tiers such as Daybreak Blue and GPT‑5.5‑Cyber.
| Comparison | Google Fairwind | OpenAI TAC |
|---|---|---|
| Individual self-verification | Not supported | Supported, at chatgpt.com/cyber |
| Organization applications | Limited to 3 types of organizations | Through an OpenAI representative |
| Tiers | Institution-level review | Tiered, e.g. Daybreak Blue, GPT‑5.5‑Cyber |
| Model | Gemini 3.8 Flash Cyber | GPT‑5.5‑Cyber and others |
Which Should Individual Security Researchers Choose
Depending on who you are, work through it in this order:
- If you're an individual security researcher, apply for OpenAI's TAC or Anthropic's CVP first — both are friendlier to individuals.
- If your organization is a government agency, critical infrastructure operator, or software maintainer, you can apply for Google's Fairwind as an organization.
- Before applying for Fairwind, confirm your organization can meet the ongoing requirements: phishing-resistant MFA, restricted access, and access logging.
In short: if you want a Cyber model as an individual, OpenAI TAC or Anthropic CVP is the easier route today; Gemini's Cyber models require applying to Fairwind as an eligible organization.