On March 7, 2024, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 981 – Local Cybersecurity Preparedness and Local Cybersecurity Support Fund – Alterations with amendments.
This bill generally modifies and expands the purpose of the Local Cybersecurity Support Fund. MACo requests amendments to bolster support for local cybersecurity efforts and ensure a strategic, coordinated, and flexible approach to enhancing cybersecurity preparedness across the state.
A strong partnership between the State and local governments is essential for safeguarding critical infrastructure and defending against increasingly complex cyber risks. MACo urges the General Assembly to provide a meaningful and lasting state commitment to bolster cybersecurity and prioritize cyber resilience through collaborative efforts to identify, protect against, detect, and respond to malicious cyber threats.
Hackers are increasingly targeting states and local governments with sophisticated cyberattacks. Securing government information systems is critical, as a cyber intrusion can be very disruptive, jeopardizing sensitive information, public safety, and delivering essential services. As such, MACo urges the General Assembly to mandate the allocation of needed resources to help lead local governments, school systems, and critical infrastructure toward a more cyber-secure future.
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