Bill would strengthen cybersecurity coordination

Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the Senate aims to promote stronger cybersecurity coordination between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state and local governments.

The State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act encourages national cybersecurity watchdogs to share information with states and localities on vulnerabilities, threats, and breaches. Watchdogs also are encouraged to share resources on how to prevent and recover from cyberattacks.

The bill also permits the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, a DHS branch, to provide guidance and training to state and local governments upon their request on safeguarding critical infrastructure and combatting cybersecurity threats. The center would be authorized to provide governments with policies and procedures and improved security tools.

“This important legislation will help to enhance the cybersecurity infrastructure of U.S. state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, which is consistently reported as their least proficient capability,” John Gilligan, Center for Internet Security president and CEO, said. “We also applaud DHS’ continued leadership role in improving our country’s cybersecurity.”

The Colorado Department of Transportation and the cities of Atlanta and Baltimore all have been targets of high-profile cyberattacks.

State and local governments are easy targets for cyberterrorists because the governments’ systems contain a wealth of information about residents, but most systems have not been adequately safeguarded.