A grant program would be established to help state, local and tribal governments better prepare for and counter cyber threats under bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) last week.
The State Cyber Resiliency Act would establish a grant program that helps states draft cyber resiliency plans to identify, detect, protect against and recover from threats to cyber security.
Gardner and Comstock introduced the measure with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA).
“It’s critical that our state and local governments invest in cyber preparedness and training, and I’m proud to work with Sen. Warner and Reps. Kilmer and Comstock to create a grant program to help our communities with this effort,” Gardner, a cofounder of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, said. “Colorado is at the forefront of our nation’s cybersecurity efforts and home to the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs. As the threat of cyber warfare intensifies, it’s important that local governments are properly prepared to deter and protect themselves from cyber-attacks.”
Fifty percent of state and local governments faced between six and 25 cyber breaches in the previous two years, and hackers breached more than 200,000 personal voter records in Arizona and Illinois, a 2015 Ponemon Institute study found.
Comstock, the chairwoman of the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology, said cybersecurity has been a focus of hers since taking over the subcommittee.
“I hear stories everyday where personal information of Americans is compromised and used by cyberterrorists,” Comstock said. “Cybersecurity has become even more critical to our nation as government agencies and private companies rely on technologies that are susceptible to hacking. The resources in the State Cyber Resiliency Act will give states the means necessary to protect their citizens from cyberattacks like those at Office of Personnel and Management and IRS so that personal information remains private.”
The State Cyber Resiliency Act would also encourage states to invest in cybersecurity workforces.
“Cities manage substantial amounts of sensitive data, including data on vital infrastructure and public safety systems,” Matt Zone, the president of the National League of Cities, said. “It should come as no surprise that cities are increasingly targets for cyberattacks from sophisticated hackers. Cities need federal support to provide local governments with the tools and resources needed to protect their citizens and serve them best.”
Warner added that despite the significant threat, 80 percent of states lack funding to develop sufficient cybersecurity.