As the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) enters its second year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week announced a boost to its coffers, amounting to $374.9 million in available funding.
Overall, the program will provide $1 billion in funding over four years to support governments down the chain to develop means of detection, protection and response to cyber threats. Last year, only $185 million was allotted to the effort, meaning this year’s funds are more than double the previous limit.
“In today’s threat environment, any locality is vulnerable to a devastating cyber attack targeted at a hospital, school, water, or other system,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said. “The Department of Homeland Security is helping to ensure that every community, regardless of size, funding, or resources, can meet these threats and keep their residents and their critical infrastructure safe and secure. These cybersecurity grants will help state, local, and territorial governments do just that, and I strongly urge communities across the country to submit an application.”
Recipients will be able to use funding for various cybersecurity improvements and initiatives, such as planning, resilience, hiring personnel or updating services.
Accordingly, the SLCGP is jointly administered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA manages the actual grant award and allocation process, but it’s CISA that handles guidance and expertise on cybersecurity issues from the federal side.
“State and local governments are facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats to their critical infrastructure and public safety,” Director Jen Easterly said. “As the Nation’s Cyber Defense Agency, CISA is pleased to make available yet another tool to that will help strengthen cyber defenses for communities across the nation and bolster our collective cybersecurity.”
Interested governments will have until Oct. 6, 2023 to apply.