The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) is encouraged that two critical pieces of cybersecurity legislation, the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), have been included in an agreement to reopen the federal government. SLCGP has been instrumental in helping state and local governments strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and the inclusion of both demonstrates that Congress is indeed taking this issue seriously.
However, this extension of both laws is only a temporary solution to a significant and pressing problem. Congress should act swiftly to provide certainty and stability for state governments by passing a long-term extension of both programs, combined with adequate levels of funding, that will allow stakeholders to strengthen their cyber defenses and meet the challenges of the future.
Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
mward@nasciomainsite.kinsta.cloud