Updates from the Resource Center for State Cybersecurity team, August 31, 2022
Cybersecurity Resources
- State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Overview and Key Considerations | Deloitte
- Cybersecurity Toolkit to Protect Elections | CISA
State Cyber Watch
Governor Walz Implements Cybersecurity Measures to Protect Critical Infrastructure| Office of Governor Time Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan August 30, 2022
On August 30, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 22-20, requiring Minnesota’s state agencies to work with critical infrastructure providers to improve information security programs across the state. The EO acknowledges the importance of public-private coordination in cybersecurity and the need to continually patch vulnerabilities and practice incident response and recovery methods.
Governors association creates cyber advisors network, offers guidance to funding under infrastructure law| Inside Cybersecurity August 25, 2022
The National Governors Association is in the process of creating a network of Governors’ cyber policy advisors, which will serve as a forum to share ideas and troubleshoot challenges with colleagues from other states, connect advisors with valuable resources and technical assistance, and provide opportunities to hear from subject-matter experts via timely workshops.
3 states get $1M to boost small biz cybersecurity| GCN August 24, 2022
Arkansas, Maryland, and South Dakota were selected by the Small Business Association to receive funding to improve the cybersecurity posture of small businesses across their respective states. Each will be awarded nearly $1 million to provide training, counseling, remediation, and other tailored cybersecurity services to vulnerable businesses.
North Dakota’s interstate cyber operations center expands to 10 states| StateScoop August 18, 2022
Last year, North Dakota organized the launch of the Joint-Cybersecurity Operations Command Center (J-SOC), which allows IT and cyber officials from member states to share threat intelligence with each other directly, without an intermediary like a federal agency or the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The J-SOC is currently made up of ten states, with plans to add at least five more before the end of the year.
DOE Announces $45 Million for Next-Generation Cyber Tools to Protect the Power Grid| U.S. Department of Energy August 17, 2022
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $45 million to develop technology to protect the nation’s electric grid from cyber attacks, ensuring citizens have uninterrupted access to clean, affordable energy. DOE will be funding up to 15 research projects to establish or strengthen existing research partnerships with energy sector utilities providers, vendors, universities, national laboratories, and service providers working toward resilient energy delivery systems.
Ohio Raises a Volunteer Army to Fight Election Hacking| Ohio Secretary of State August 17, 2022
Through the Ohio National Guard, the state has formed what it calls the Ohio Cyber Reserve (OhCR) — a group of mostly private sector tech professionals who volunteer their services to combat cyberattacks across the state. Members are tasked with responding to cyber incidents, as well as conducting training and security assessments to reduce vulnerabilities among government entities. Now, the OhCR is gearing up for election season, preparing to assist strained jurisdictions with potential election security concerns.
New chief cyber officers take a ‘whole of state approach’ to cybersecurity| GCN August 16, 2022
States across the country are beginning to establish a new chief cyber officer role to expand their cybersecurity preparedness and response capabilities. New York and Louisiana are among the first to create these roles, which are meant to facilitate collaboration across state and local government agencies, promote cybersecurity best practices, advocate for regulation and respond to new threats, and keep Governors and legislatures informed of the cyber landscape.
Higher Ed’s Growing Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics | GovTech August 12, 2022
The University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity recently formed the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics to serve as a form for educators, subject-matter experts, and IT security advocates to share cybersecurity best practices and insights among each other. It also helps schools establish their own cyber “clinics” to provide students with hands-on IT security experience at nonprofits, hospitals, small businesses, and other organizations in need.
Governor Wolf Signs Bill to Aid Pennsylvania State and Local Government in Fighting Cybercrime | Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP August 9, 2022
Last month, Governor Tom Wolf approved House Bill 2412, which authorizes the Governor to order the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist state and local government entities with cybersecurity support, training, and exercises. The legislation is expected to be particularly useful to resource-strapped agencies that don’t have regular access to a large team of dedicated cybersecurity personnel.
Public transit agencies are vulnerable to cyber threats, researchers warn | GCN August 1, 2022
A recent report published by researchers at the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University found that the transportation industry is not equipped to appropriately address the growing cyber threat. The report included recommendations that transit agencies form an enterprise risk management strategy and ensure staff understand cybersecurity practices and protocols.
Questions, comments, or feedback? Want your work featured in our newsletter? Contact Casey Dolen, Senior Cybersecurity Policy Analyst, at cdolen@nga.org
