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Learn the latest trends in cybersecurity for state and local government

In November 2021, federal lawmakers approved dedicated funding for state and local government cybersecurity efforts, a move long sought by NASCIO and other groups. The new State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program — included in the massive Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — provides $1 billion for cybersecurity improvements over four years. Then, in March of this year, President Biden signed into law the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. The law will require providers of critical infrastructure services to report cyber incidents to the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within 72 hours.

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Taken together, these laws point toward significant changes in the nation’s historically decentralized approach to cybersecurity. New cybersecurity legislation is being driven by a threat environment that seemingly grows more menacing by the day. The nation has weathered a wave of highly disruptive cyber events.
It’s likely that state and local agencies will receive additional federal cybersecurity support going forward, along with greater federal oversight.
  • Zero trust is a top priority for both cities (47%) and counties (50%).
  • Other top shared priorities include identity proofing, network microsegmentation, and security orchestration automation and response.
  • 38% of cities plan to invest in behavioral analytics.
  • 33% of counties plan to invest in secure application development operations.

New cybersecurity legislation is being driven by a threat environment that seemingly grows more menacing by the day. The nation has weathered a wave of highly disruptive cyber events, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adds new uncertainties. Download the full report to learn how your agency or municipality can take full advantage of the increased funding to protect against increasing challenges.