States, localities await federal help on cybersecurity – By Gopal Ratnam (Roll Call) / May 24, 2022
Federal experts to help build safeguards against ransomware attacks
The House passed legislation last week to ensure that federal cybersecurity experts assist their state and local government counterparts in protecting networks from devastating attacks like those that have crippled cities in Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma and elsewhere.
The legislation would codify support and assistance that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency already offers to state and local governments. The agency provides security tools, helps states draft policies and procedures, conducts cybersecurity exercises and shares threat information through collaborative channels.
The bill had already passed the Senate, and President Joe Biden is expected to sign it.
“The states cannot do this on their own,” said Doug Robinson, executive director of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, a group that represents top state tech officials. “They don’t have the capacity. … They are doing as much as they can within their own jurisdictions.”
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