Cybersecurity
Why quantum security must be on every CIO’s 2026 priority list
COMMENTARY | The consequences of a quantum-backed cyberattack could be tremendous, especially if they target critical infrastructure. Too many states have not planned ahead.
Leaders sound the alarm for physical and cyber attacks ahead of summer World Cup
A lack of federal grant funding and information sharing could hamper preparations, they said, and leave cities vulnerable to physical or cyberattacks when games get underway.
Rethinking how state and local cyber teams are built and supported
COMMENTARY | To stay ahead, we must address how we build and support teams while leveraging technology to defend our critical infrastructure.
‘It’s not over’: Cyber info-sharing center begins ‘next chapters’ after losing federal funding
The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center now has 24 states and 3,000 individual organizations as dues-paying members after losing federal funding, a leader said.
The shifting cybersecurity mandate for states
COMMENTARY | Federal retrenchment means states must step up with funding and resources in a more complex environment. Multi-year federal funding can reduce some of those burdens.
Maine secretary of state reflects on a tumultuous period
Shenna Bellows has lived through federal demands for voter data, ICE raids, doxing and more. But with this year’s midterm elections fast approaching, there’s more to do.
After North Carolina cyberattacks, IT officials warn General Assembly of poor preparedness
The state’s systems face more than 10 billion attack attempts each month, a top cybersecurity official told lawmakers.
Super Bowl gears up for massive security operation
While immigration officials will reportedly not be present at the San Francisco game this weekend, a raft of federal, state and local agencies will be on site to keep the event safe from various threats.
Virginia to consider joining states creating volunteer cyber civilian corps
A proposed volunteer group would help local governments fend off cyber attacks and security breaches.
Election officials say trust with CISA is broken — and may not come back
States once embraced federal election security help. Now many say politicization and pullbacks have shattered that partnership.
Featured eBooks
House explores grid cybersecurity boosts amid growing threats
Several bills would reauthorize programs designed to protect energy infrastructure from nation-states and other threats while helping publicly owned utilities defend themselves and share information.
‘Reckoning’ coming in state and local cyber
This year brought all manner of uncertainty about the relationship with the federal government to defend against threats. Next year looks to be more of the same, albeit with more intense threats.
CISA opens 100 applications for CyberCorps students
Earlier hiring snags had forced the scholarship program to pause recruitment of top student talent for cyber jobs.
Whole-of-state strategy needs more ‘carrots’ than sticks, cyber leaders say
Partnership between a state government and its localities is crucial in making information-sharing work, rather than just being enforcement and auditing when things go wrong.
Cyber success is about building ‘muscle memory,’ experts say
Working with jurisdictions that have varying degrees of cybersecurity preparedness can be a challenge, cyber leaders said last week, so coordination and partnerships are key.
New Senate bill would reauthorize cyber grant program
It comes weeks after the House voted to reup the $1 billion state and local grants, which also received a temporary lifeline during the recent government funding deal.
St. Paul officials still dealing with summer cyberattack’s fallout
The Minnesota capital’s networks were disrupted in July and government operations are still recovering. Preparedness and partnerships were key in the city’s response.
House votes to reup cyber grant program
Lawmakers approved a measure to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for 10 years. It now moves to the Senate.
Government funding deal reups cyber grant program
Lawmakers reauthorized the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program as part of the deal to reopen the federal government, but funding remains an open question.
Report blames Nevada hack on employee downloading malware
The August cyber incident took down state websites after a state worker inadvertently downloaded malware onto a government machine. And while hackers demanded a ransom, none was paid.
