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Friday, March 29, 2024

NGA Chair Says Cybersecurity is Key States’ Issue

National Governors Association (NGA) Chairman, Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, said the states’ role in strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity to protect critical infrastructure and personal data is vital.

“By 2020, 200 billion networked devices are expected to be connected across the globe,” McAuliffe told state officials and business leaders in Silicon Valley. “Domestic and foreign actors target sensitive information and systemsthat, if compromised, could have significant economic and political consequences, and result in serious damage to our vital infrastructure.”

“For far too long, cybersecurity has been seen as an information technology issue that requires technical solutions,” McAuliffe stated. “Through my initiative, I have sought to highlight that cybersecurity is a whole-of-state issue that affects every level of government and every facet of our daily lives.”

McAuliffe’s remarks were part of a regional cybersecurity summit tied to his NGA chair’s initiative, Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge, which focuses on developing state strategies for strengthening cybersecurity practices and bringing together policy leaders from every state as well as private sector experts and federal partners to highlight innovative practices and identify ways in which state-driven solutions can be replicated nationwide.

NGA said, “The event brought together thought leaders, private sector experts and teams from more than 20 states and territories to discuss innovative practices and solutions to cyber threats. Sessions were held on a variety of topics, including addressing the cybersecurity workforce deficit, improving states’ cyber response plans, confronting threats to election systems, dealing with vulnerable critical infrastructure, using the National Guard as an asset to improve preparedness and engaging public and private partners to help mitigate risk to the health care sector.”

Participants also heard from California Secretary of State Alex Padilla; Michael Duff, chief information security officer at Stanford University; and Michael DeCesare, CEO of San Jose–based cybersecurity firm Forescout, plus Virginia Public Safety Secretary Brian Moran and Technology Secretary Karen Jackson; Oklahoma Chief Security Officer Mark Gower; West Virginia Chief Information Security Officer Joshua Spencer; Iowa Policy Advisor to the governor, Cord Overton; and officials from the FBI, National Security Agency and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

At the recent NGA Winter Meeting, McAuliffe hosted a session on cybersecurity with guests from Google, Deloitte & Touche, Morrison Foerster and the University of Southern California.

NGA said, “Since July 2016, he has hosted two regional summits (the first in Boston), plus five roundtables to discuss the intersection of cybersecurity and health care, education and workforce, critical infrastructure, autonomy and the Internet of Things. The capstone meeting of [McAuliffe’s] … initiative will take place in Leesburg, Virginia, June 14-15.

 

NGA Chair Says Cybersecurity is Key States’ Issue Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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