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 convenes and provides research and 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.

NGA Homeland Security and Cybersecurity Networks

Governor’s Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC): The GHSAC is comprised of Governors’ appointed homeland security advisors for each state and territory and serves as a forum to share information and expertise, discuss priorities setting and collaborate on strategic planning to address all hazards and threats facing states and territories. The top priorities for members of the GHSAC include cybersecurity, school safety, critical infrastructure protection, natural disaster and extreme weather response, and preventing targeted violence. In support of addressing these priorities, NGA coordinates monthly plenary calls, twice annual in-person convenings, writes policy memos and provides ongoing support and technical assistance. Learn more about the GHSAC here.  

Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network (CPAN): The Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network is comprised of advisors identified by the Governor and serves as a forum to share ideas and troubleshoot challenges with colleagues from other states, connect advisors with valuable resources and materials, and provide opportunities to engage with subject-matter experts. NGA coordinates monthly network calls, an annual in-person convening, and provides technical assistance, memos and other support as needed. Learn more about NGA’s cybersecurity efforts here.  

Council of Governors (COG): The Council of Governors is comprised of 10 Governors – five from each party – appointed by the President to two-year terms. The Council serves as a forum for Governors and key federal officials to improve and maximize state-federal partnerships to address matters pertaining to the National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activity. NGA works to support Governor’s offices in this mission as well as sharing information and facilitating input from all Governor’s offices. Learn more about the Council of Governors here

Meet the Team

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

Contact the Team


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  

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.

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.


NGA Resources

Letter Outlining Governors’ Legislative Priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act

Letter Outlining Governors’ Legislative Priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act

October 23, 2020The Honorable James Inhofe, ChairmanSenate Armed Services Committee218 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510The Honorable Jack Reed, Ranking MemberSenate Armed Services Committee218 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510The ...
Managing Cyber Threats through Effective Governance: A Call to Action for Governors and State Legislatures

Managing Cyber Threats through Effective Governance: A Call to Action for Governors and State Legislatures

This document is a Call to Action for governors and state legislatures to improve their cybersecurity risk management capabilities by creating or strengthening their cybersecurity governance. (View/Download) Executive Summary Cybersecurity ...
State Resilience Assessment and Planning Tool

State Resilience Assessment and Planning Tool

The State Resilience Assessment and Planning Tool was created to help Governors and their staffs assess state resilience, identify gaps, and plan for natural and man-made disasters. Background | Vision/Goals ...
Bolster the Resilience of Defense Installations

Bolster the Resilience of Defense Installations

A virtual event to identify state and federal strategies to bolster the resilience of defense installations to natural and human hazards. The second in a series of virtual workshops being ...
Coalition Letter on the FEMA Assistance Relief Act

Coalition Letter on the FEMA Assistance Relief Act

Given the frequency and severity of disasters this fall, we urge swift passage of the FEMA Assistance Relief Act in the House as it will make timely changes to assistance ...
Reach And Engage Our Defense Communities

Reach And Engage Our Defense Communities

Our virtual series kicked-off in September with a workshop dedicated to highlighting federal and state collaboration on enhancing the experience of our military connected students, military spouses seeking licensure, and ...
operations at U.S. Army Cyber Command headquarters at Fort Belvoir

Protected: Enhancing Our Defense Communities—Resources

This content is password protected. To view please enter the password below: Password: Enter If you do not have the password, and believe you should have access to this page, ...
NGA, Department of Defense Launch Initiative to Unlock Economic Potential of Defense Assets

NGA, Department of Defense Launch Initiative to Unlock Economic Potential of Defense Assets

Governors, States Examine their Role in Supporting Defense Mission To help governors and states work more closely with the defense sector to promote military resiliency and better realize more economic ...
Enhancing Our Defense Communities—a Virtual Workshop Series, 2020

Enhancing Our Defense Communities—a Virtual Workshop Series, 2020

Reach and Engage our Defense Communities Our virtual series kicked-off in September with a workshop dedicated to highlighting federal and state collaboration on enhancing the experience of our military connected ...

  • 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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