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Cybersecurity NASCIO Finds States Struggling With Cyber Threats, Tighter Budgets
The National Association of Chief Information Officers’ (NASCIO) latest survey finds that the majority of state chief information security officers (CISOs) say their responsibilities are increasing, yet more than one-third do not have a dedicated cybersecurity budget.
Recent News
  1. Calif. Gov. Newsom Signs Bills to Combat Deepfake Election Content
    Ahead of the 2024 state elections, California is looking to combat deepfakes and other deceptive digitally generated or altered content in election campaigns.
  2. Louisiana now Accepting Crypto for Payments
    Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced that the state is now accepting cryptocurrency as a valid form of payment. This move allows the integration of digital currency into Louisiana’s public operations.
  3. CISA Offers Guidelines Combat Anonymous Threats for Schools
    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued new guidance to assist kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools in addressing anonymous threats of violence on social media, and to provide steps for school officials, law enforcement and community partners to take in assessing, responding, and preparing for threats. 
  1. DHS Sets $279M in 2024 Cybersecurity Grants for SLTs
    State, local, and territorial (SLT) governments are in line to receive $279.9 million in grant funding in fiscal year (FY) 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) according to an agency announcement on Sept. 23.  
  2. New Mexico, Sante Fe New Mexico Taps Barreras to Lead DoIT
    New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Manny Barreras as cabinet secretary of the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), effective Sept. 9.
  3. NCD Coker Updates Cyber Workforce, Education Strategy Efforts
    National Cyber Director (NCD) Harry Coker on Sept. 23 updated recent efforts by the Biden administration to further the National Cybersecurity Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), which was first released in July 2023.
  4. NASCIO: States Lack Quality Data to Support GenAI
    A new report by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and EY US found that a majority of state CIOs and chief digital officers (CDOs) consider data quality to be important – particularly when it comes to generative AI – but less than a quarter have a dedicated data quality program.
  1. House Cyber Bill Proposes ROTC-Style Workforce Training Program
    Legislation introduced in the House on Wednesday aims to create a cybersecurity training program that will provide Federal scholarship support in exchange for two years of service with governments at all levels in cybersecurity roles.
  2. Oregon Turns to AI-Powered Career Exploration Coach to Help Students
    The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) and the Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI), has launched “Sassy,” an AI-powered career exploration coach that is designed to assist Oregon students in navigating career planning. The tool, named after Sasquatch, the legendary “Bigfoot” humanoid creature said to dwell in Oregon’s […]
  3. University of Oklahoma Names new CIO
    University of Oklahoma has hired Nishanth Rodrigues as the college’s new chief information officer (CIO), effective Sept. 30.
  4. FCC Opens Cyber Pilot for Schools, Libraries
    The Federal Communications Commission has opened the application window for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
  5. Hawaii Upgrades Tax System to Improve Security, UX
    The Hawaii Department of Taxation (DOTAX) announced that it has upgraded its tax system in an effort to improve performance, security, and user experience.
  6. Wisconsin Awards $27.8M for Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program
    Wisconsin has awarded more than $27.8 million from the Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program to fund 11 projects throughout Wisconsin that will improve internet connectivity by providing access to devices, technology, and digital navigators.
  7. California Using New Mental Health Website to Track Prop 1 Progress
    California is using a new mental health website – mentalhealth.ca.gov – as an accountability tool to track implementation progress of Proposition 1 and other behavioral health initiatives to expand access to care and supportive housing.
  8. 18F Issues Updated Guide to ‘De-risking’ Technology Projects
    The General Services Administration’s (GSA) 18F organization – housed within GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS) – recently updated its De-risking Government Technology Guide to help government technology projects avoid common challenges during implementation.
  9. New Mexico Releases new Online Tool to Improve Access to Home Visiting Services
    Families in New Mexico will now have easier access to Home Visiting services through a new online portal.
  10. Washington County Uses Reentry Portal for Inmate Support
    King County, Wash., is working with IGNTD, a personalized online addiction recovery system and support community, to provide access to IGNTD’s virtual substance use recovery system and support community to King County Jail Health Services' Release Coordinators and the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) to benefit prison inmates during reentry to society.