New York Renews Grant Program To Support Local Gov Cybersecurity

As cybersecurity risks and technology demands continue to grow, states are exploring new ways to support local government capacity. New York’s renewed Local Government Efficiency Grant program offers funding for collaborative technology projects that improve service delivery while managing costs. In a recent Government Technology article, New York has renewed its Local Government Efficiency Grant (LGEG) program, making $8 million available to help counties, municipalities, and other public agencies invest in technology upgrades, particularly cybersecurity…

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Bipartisan Bill Aims to Reinstate Lapsed Cyber Grant Program

Congress is moving to revive a key federal cybersecurity grant program that counties rely on to protect critical systems and infrastructure. With cyber threats rising and local resources stretched thin, long-term reauthorization is essential for keeping communities safe. As covered in an article from Cybersecurity Dive, a bipartisan effort is underway in Congress to restore a key federal cybersecurity grant program that many state and local governments rely on to protect essential systems and infrastructure.…

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Free Webinar: Strengthening Maryland’s Water Cybersecurity

Cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure are growing more sophisticated, and a new initiative gives local systems practical tools to strengthen operational technology defenses. Local water and wastewater utilities have a new opportunity to strengthen their operational technology defenses through a free cybersecurity webinar and year-long support program. The initiative aims to help utilities navigate growing cyber threats, build internal capacity, and access practical tools tailored to the water sector. On December 4, Dragos will host…

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Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable

The federal government has scaled back a key cyber stakeholder division, leaving states and counties at risk of communication and support gaps. According to an article from Smart Cities Dive, the federal government has essentially dismantled a key division within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that connects federal cybersecurity operations with state and local governments, private industry, and critical infrastructure sectors. Nearly 100 employees have been laid off from CISA’s Stakeholder Engagement Division,…

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Maryland Launches Cybersecurity Disclosure Program Covering State and Local Systems

The State of Maryland has implemented a new cybersecurity program that gives security researchers and the general public a legal pathway to report cybersecurity vulnerabilities in web-facing State of Maryland IT systems and websites. Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs) are widely used by the federal government and private sector to identify vulnerabilities before threat actors use them to breach IT systems and websites. While some state governments have limited VDPs, the State of Maryland’s is one…

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Free EPA Webinars on Strengthening Cybersecurity in Water Systems

The EPA will be hosting a series of free cybersecurity technical assistance courses for water systems, starting on November 5, 2025 - Here are the details... Cybersecurity 102: Register now to learn how Cybersecurity can impact Operational Technology systems. This webinar is for everyone, not just information technology personnel, as it will explore the skills needed to navigate today's digital threats. Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST | Register here Cybersecurity…

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Maryland Lawmakers Eye Potential AI Legislation in 2026

Artificial intelligence is changing how Maryland works and learns. State lawmakers are preparing new measures to guide its use responsibly and strategically in the next legislative session. In a recent article from The Baltimore Sun, Maryland lawmakers are preparing to consider a slate of AI-related proposals aimed at both safeguarding the public and encouraging innovation when the General Assembly returns in January. As previously covered by MACo, local governments are increasingly adopting AI for a variety…

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Technology Is Complicating Public Information Laws…And It’s Getting Worse

Technology advancements continue to threaten to blow the wheels off the public information access process in Maryland and beyond. State and local officials are sounding the alarm but oversight committee stops short of meaningful recommendations to tackle the issues.  Maryland’s Public Information Act (PIA) is a cornerstone of open government, designed to ensure transparency and accountability at every level of public service. For county governments in particular, the PIA can present a complex balancing act…

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NACo Cyber Awareness Month Deal: Build Cyber Leadership Skills for Just $1,000

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October), the National Association of Counties (NACo) is offering exclusive scholarships that reduce the enrollment cost for the NACo Cybersecurity Leadership Academy to just $1,000. This limited-time opportunity empowers local government leaders to build critical cybersecurity and leadership skills that help protect county networks, data, and residents. The NACo Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Academy is an online, 10-week collaborative readiness program led by Fortune 500 CISOs and peers, delivering a proven framework…

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Federal Shutdown Heightens Cyber Risks for Local Governments

With a federal shutdown, local governments face a growing cyber threat landscape, as fewer federal experts are available to call on for help. State and local governments must stay prepared to defend their systems as bad actors exploit uncertainty and stretched resources. As the federal government shutdown continues, cybersecurity experts warn that local agencies may face a surge in sophisticated phishing and ransomware attacks. With reduced federal support, counties may need to be prepared to…

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