Read more about the article Federal Bill Could Restore Free Cybersecurity Services for Local Govs
Cyber / Information Technology
Federal Bill Could Restore Free Cybersecurity Services for Local Govs

A new federal proposal from US Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) aims to restore and strengthen cybersecurity support for state and local governments through renewed funding for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). In a recent article from Government Technology, the proposed federal Guaranteeing Universal Access to Cybersecurity Act would provide $50 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2027 to support the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), a program operated by the…

Comments Off on Federal Bill Could Restore Free Cybersecurity Services for Local Govs
June 11, 2026
Read more about the article Free Cybersecurity Training Opportunity Opens for MD State and Local Employees
Cyber / Information Technology
Free Cybersecurity Training Opportunity Opens for MD State and Local Employees

Counties continue to face an evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, with local government systems increasingly targeted for disruption. As counties work to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive public data, workforce development remains a key component of a strong cybersecurity posture. BCR Cyber has announced the launch of its next Cybersecurity Operational Methods and Education Training (COMET) cohort, beginning May 18 and running through June 23. Funded through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Employment Advancement Right…

Comments Off on Free Cybersecurity Training Opportunity Opens for MD State and Local Employees
April 30, 2026
Read more about the article NACo EDGE Webinar: Cyber Resilience in County Finance
Cyber / Finance and Procurement / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
NACo EDGE Webinar: Cyber Resilience in County Finance

On Friday, March 6, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. EST, NACo EDGE will host a timely webinar focused on strengthening cyber resilience in county finance operations. County finance offices sit at the center of local government operations, managing payroll, vendor payments, tax revenues, and sensitive financial data. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, public sector finance teams are increasingly being targeted. The webinar titled, "Cyber Resilience in County Finance: Protecting What Matters Most," will address these…

Comments Off on NACo EDGE Webinar: Cyber Resilience in County Finance
February 26, 2026
Read more about the article Cyber Reserve Proposal Offers Stronger Local Cyber Defense and Resilience
Cyber / Information Technology / MACo Testimony
Cyber Reserve Proposal Offers Stronger Local Cyber Defense and Resilience

On February 12, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein testified before the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee in support of SB 183 – Public Safety - Maryland Cyber Reserve - Established with amendments. This bill would establish the Maryland Cyber Reserve within the Military Department to provide educational and technical support to help prevent and respond to cyberattacks affecting state, county, and local government agencies, as well as critical infrastructure across Maryland. MACo requested clarifying, structural…

Comments Off on Cyber Reserve Proposal Offers Stronger Local Cyber Defense and Resilience
February 18, 2026
Read more about the article Cybersecurity Incident Prompts Emergency Alert System Transition in St. Mary’s County
County News / Cyber / Information Technology
Cybersecurity Incident Prompts Emergency Alert System Transition in St. Mary’s County

The St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) Department of Emergency Services (DES) has provided an update regarding the previously reported cybersecurity incident involving the CodeRED Emergency Notification System - a third-party platform used by local governments nationwide to issue emergency alerts. What Happened CodeRED has completed a forensic investigation, conducted by internal security teams and external cybersecurity experts, into the incident that led to the suspension of the legacy platform in November 2025. According to CodeRED,…

Comments Off on Cybersecurity Incident Prompts Emergency Alert System Transition in St. Mary’s County
February 12, 2026
Read more about the article New York Renews Grant Program To Support Local Gov Cybersecurity
County News / Cyber / Information Technology
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…

Comments Off on New York Renews Grant Program To Support Local Gov Cybersecurity
January 8, 2026
Read more about the article Bipartisan Bill Aims to Reinstate Lapsed Cyber Grant Program
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
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.…

Comments Off on Bipartisan Bill Aims to Reinstate Lapsed Cyber Grant Program
December 4, 2025
Read more about the article Free Webinar: Strengthening Maryland’s Water Cybersecurity
County News / Cyber / Information Technology
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…

Comments Off on Free Webinar: Strengthening Maryland’s Water Cybersecurity
December 1, 2025
Read more about the article Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable
Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
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,…

Comments Off on Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable
October 30, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Launches Cybersecurity Disclosure Program Covering State and Local Systems
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / Risk Management
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…

Comments Off on Maryland Launches Cybersecurity Disclosure Program Covering State and Local Systems
October 30, 2025
Older Posts