Report: States Tackling Local Gaps in Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Whole-of-state cybersecurity strategies have increased as well, with 73 percent of respondents reporting that critical infrastructure cyber protection is part of their state’s plan.

Grant programs point to another challenge, which is how to pay for robust state cybersecurity long term.

Almost every state CISO interviewed for this report expressed concern about the future of federal cybersecurity funding, such as the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.

The report warns that without sustained federal investment, progress made through whole-of-state programs could stall, leaving states to identify other ways to maintain services for local governments and critical infrastructure.

While challenges are not likely to go away, the report gives detailed steps about how states can influence and formalize local and critical infrastructure cybersecurity.