New York opens cybersecurity program for local governments
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced the State Cybersecurity Grant, a new state program that will use nearly $6 million in federal funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, to expand access to cybersecurity information, tools, resources and services for local governments statewide.
According to the announcement, New York will procure software, hardware and services to reduce cyber risk and build cyber resiliency throughout the state’s public sector. The program’s first year will focus on shared services, such as multi-factor authentication and cybersecurity awareness training and certification, to help local governments build a “baseline level of cybersecurity.”
“A cyberattack can halt an entire community, and it’s essential that local governments have the resources and information needed to protect themselves and quickly respond to a cyber threat,” Hochul said in the program’s announcement. “This funding will provide tools to help municipalities secure critical infrastructure to protect New Yorkers and reduce cyber risks.”
As part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Congress established the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program to help local governments address cybersecurity risks to their information systems. The program’s 2022 fiscal year allocated $5,810,605 to New York, with 80% for local governments and at least 25% of those funds for agencies in rural areas.
“New York is continuing to take decisive action to bolster cybersecurity statewide,” Colin Ahern, the state’s chief cyber officer, said about the new cybersecurity program. “New York is investing in a safer and more resilient cyber future for our communities.”
According to an October report by the state comptroller, attacks against critical infrastructure in New York in 2022 included nine incidents in health care and public health, eight in financial services and seven in commercial and government facilities. It also estimated that cyberattacks overall cost the state $775 million that year.
