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

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  • Resource Center for State Cybersecurity

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  • 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

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  • Defense/National Guard Resources

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  • Resilience Resources

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NGA Resources

Testimony – Homeland Security Grants

The National Governors Association (NGA) wishes to thank Chairman Cuellar, Ranking Member Rogers, and other distinguished members of the Subcommittee for holding this hearing and allowing governors the opportunity to ...

Testimony – PASS ID

Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins and distinguished members of the committee, my name is Jim Douglas, Governor of the state of Vermont and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association ...

Testimony -Pandemic Flu

Chairman Pryor, Ranking Member Ensign, members of the subcommittee, my name is John Thomasian and I am the director of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) ...

Testimony – REAL ID, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Voinovich and distinguished members of the subcommittee, my name is David Quam and I am the director of federal relations for the National Governors Association (NGA) ...

Testimony – Homeland Security Grants: Supporting a National Preparedness and Response System

Chairman Price, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Ray Scheppach and I am the Executive Director of the National Governors Association. On behalf of the ...

Testimony – National Guard (Governor Easley)

Thank you Chairman Leahy and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the opportunity to speak to you today. I am here in two capacities. First, I am here as ...

Testimony – Real ID

Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Voinovich and distinguished members of the subcommittee, my name is David Quam and I am the director of federal relations for the National Governors Association (NGA) ...

Statement for the Record – Commission on the National Guard and Reserves

The National Governors Association wishes to thank the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves for giving the nation's governors an opportunity to participate in the timely dialogue about how ...

Testimony – Military Parents Raising Children: The States’ Response

Mr. Chairman. On behalf of the National Governors Association (NGA), I want to express appreciation to you and ranking member, Senator Dodd, for your continuous work on behalf of the ...