Homeland Security & Cybersecurity

Governors play a critical role in homeland security and are responsible for protecting people, property, and businesses within their respective states and territories. Governors are confronted with a range of events—from natural and man-made disasters, disease outbreaks, acts of terrorism, along with the significant and continued growth of cyber-attacks against the United States.

To support Governors’ priorities, the Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Program provides technical assistance to Governors and their staffs on a range of national security policy issues, including cybersecurity policies and practices, targeted violence and terrorism prevention, energy assurance, public health emergency preparedness, and emergency management, including disaster response, recovery and resilience.

The Governor’s Guide To Public Health Preparedness

This guide serves as a primer on public health preparedness, detailing current strategies, available resources and existing partnerships that may help policymakers bridge the gap between the disciplines of public safety and public health. By doing so, governors can develop a stronger cooperative network for emergency response and provide their states with a safe and healthy future.


Governor’s Roadmap to Preventing Targeted Violence

This roadmap distills the latest research and draws from elements of public-health interventions to provide guidance to governors, state and local leaders, and other stakeholders on how to prevent ideologically inspired violence—whether political, gender-based, or religious. By taking a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to preventing such violence, states can build safer and more resilient communities.


Governor’s Guide To Homeland Security

This guide covers fundamentals in homeland security best practices ranging from emergency management, fusion centers, grant management, the national guard, emergency declarations, critical infrastructure and other areas of homeland security that a governor and their policy staff would need awareness on.

Focus Areas

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Cybersecurity
  • Disaster Response, Recovery and Resilience
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Energy Security
  • Homeland Security
  • Nation-State Threats
  • National Guard
  • Preventing Targeted Violence
  • Public Health Emergency Preparedness
  • School Safety  

Meet the Team

  • Jessica Davenport, Program Director
  • Phil Nichols, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Michelle Blakeslee, Policy Analyst
  • Aisley Wallace Harper, Policy Coordinator

Contact the Team

  • Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council

    Learn More
  • Resource Center for State Cybersecurity

    Learn more
  • Technical Assistance

    We provide complimentary consultation to states as they design and implement new programs and policies.

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  • Public Safety & Legal Counsels Program

    Learn more
  • Defense/National Guard Resources

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  • Resilience Resources

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NGA Resources

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Governors Urge President to Extend Title 32 Today

Governors from across the country have called on the President numerous times to extend the use of Title 32 for National Guard operations in response to and recovery from the ...
State Organizations Hail Senate Committee Action on Real ID Modernization Act

State Organizations Hail Senate Committee Action on Real ID Modernization Act

The National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators commend the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee’s action on the ...
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Cybersecurity Concerns for Health and Public Health Organizations

(View/Download) Background Public health and healthcare organizations are at the forefront fighting against unprecedented physical dangers from the COVID-19 outbreak. Simultaneously, there are threats propagating in cyberspace, as malicious actors ...
National Guard

Letter Regarding Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Appropriations

June 4, 2020 The Honorable Pete ViscloskyChairman, Subcommittee on DefenseHouse Committee on AppropriationsH-405, The CapitolWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable Ken CalvertRanking Member, Subcommittee on DefenseHouse Committee on AppropriationsH-405, The CapitolWashington, ...
National Guard

Letter Regarding National Defense Authorization Act Priorities

June 4, 2020 The Honorable James InhofeChairmanSenate Armed Services Committee218 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jack ReedRanking MemberSenate Armed Services Committee218 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 ...
National Guard

Letter Requesting Extension of Title 32 Authority During Pandemic

May 28, 2020 The Honorable Donald J. TrumpPresident of the United States1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington, DC 20500Dear President Trump: On behalf of the nation’s governors, we write in support of ...

NGA REAL ID Letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

The nation’s governors want to work with Congress and DHS to enhance the REAL ID Act and we look forward finding workable, cost-effective solutions that can increase the security and ...
Creating Water Resilience: State Regulations for Water Reuse and Recycling

Creating Water Resilience: State Regulations for Water Reuse and Recycling

As water resources continue to be stressed even in traditionally water rich states by climate change, population growth, pollution and other issues, water reuse and recycling can offer one solution to ...
Coalition Letter Addressing Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure Needs Due To COVID-19

Coalition Letter Addressing Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure Needs Due To COVID-19

April 28, 2020 The Honorable Mitch McConnellMajority LeaderUnited States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Chuck SchumerMinority LeaderUnited States SenateU.S. Capitol Building, Room S-224Washington, D.C. 20510 The ...