Updates from the Resource Center for State Cybersecurity team, June 30, 2022
National Summit on State Cybersecurity Highlights
Thank you again to all of our state attendees and corporate sponsors for helping us put on an event to highlight the great work that’s being done to advance cybersecurity across the states. We hope you enjoyed the content and the opportunities to engage with your colleagues!
Below are some resources that summarize some of the event’s key takeaways.
- NGA Commentary: 2022 National Summit on State Cybersecurity | June 28, 2022
- NGA Publication: Re-Envisioning State Cyber Response Capabilities: The Role Of Volunteers In Strengthening Our Systems | June 16, 2022
- Governors Op-Ed: Cyberattacks wreaking havoc in all corners. Time is of the essence to strike back. | The Columbus Dispatch June 22, 2022
Cybersecurity Resources
- Team Cymru eBook: Attack Surface Management v. 2.0 | June 29, 2022
- Team Cymru Brochure: Pure Signal RECON | June 29, 2022
- Microsoft Report: Defending Ukraine: Early Lessons from the Cyber War | June 22, 2022
- CISA Sector Spotlight: Cyber-Physical Security Considerations for the Electricity Sub-Sector | June 7, 2022
State Cyber Watch
Governor Hogan announces new Technology Innovative Workforce Solution Program | NewsBreak June 28, 2022
Governor Larry Hogan recently announced a new Information Technology Innovative Workforce Solution program in Maryland, which is aimed at providing work opportunities to individuals apprenticing to become IT professionals. The effort is aligned with Governor Hogan’s initiative to formally eliminate four-year college degree requirements of thousands of state jobs and identifying qualified candidates through alternative pathways.
Governor Hochul Appoints New York State’s First Ever Chief Cyber Officer | The Office of Governor Kathy Hochul June 27, 2022
This month, Governor Kathy Hochul named Colin Ahern as New York’s first ever Chief Cyber Officer. Ahern will be tasked with overseeing all cyber threat assessment, mitigation, and response efforts, working with every state agency to mitigate cyber risks. He will also lead the Joint Security Operations Center, a hub for cyber threat detection and incident response.
Which States Have Cybersecurity Task Forces? | GovTech June 23, 2022
More than 30 states have already stood up a cybersecurity-specific task force, commission, or working group, as demonstrated by this map:
Press Release: Bill Signed: S. 1097, S. 2520, and S. 3823 | The White House June 21, 2022
On June 21, President Biden signed into law three bills, two of which focus on cybersecurity improvements. S. 1097 establishes a federal rotational cyber workforce program, while S. 2520 requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to increase its collaboration with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments on cybersecurity issues.
California Gov. Newsom Names CIO, Tech Agency Director | GovTech June 8, 2022
Liana Bailey-Crimmins has been selected to lead the California Department of Technology as the state’s new chief information officer. She is transitioning from her role as the state’s chief technology officer where she prioritized working with vendors to bring the best services to California’s residents.
Cyber Risks Found in Flood Management System in Southeastern States | Route Fifty June 8, 2022
A recent Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Inspector General report revealed that a federally-owned utility company operating in seven states in the Southeast U.S. lacked proper cybersecurity controls and oversight related to a particular subset of dams and river systems. Vulnerabilities in these systems could impact flood control and management of the region’s river system. Both TVA and the utility company are working to address the issues raised.
Guard Soldiers, Airmen Participate in Cyber Shield Exercise | Illinois National Guard Public Affairs June 7, 2022
More than 800 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, civilian experts, and other military services from throughout the nation participated in Cyber Shield exercises from June 5-17 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cyber Shield develops participants’ ability to conduct missions to coordinate, train, and assist federal, state, and industry network owners that are faced with a cyber attack.
New York names homeland security director Chris Desain as new CISO | StateScoop June 7, 2022
Earlier this month, the New York State Officer of Information Technology Services announced Chris Desain as the state’s new chief information security officer. Desain comes to the role with 24 years of cybersecurity experience, most recently having served as the director of the cyber incident response team in New York’s counterterrorism office.
Whole-of-State Cyber Approaches Are Sweeping the Country | GovTech June 1, 2022
GovTech spoke with state cybersecurity leaders at last month’s National Association of Chief information Officers conference to hear about the progress they’re making in addressing the cyber threat. This article includes video clips featuring those conversations.
Questions, comments, or feedback? Want your work featured in our newsletter? Contact Casey Dolen, Senior Cybersecurity Policy Analyst, at cdolen@nga.org
