The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing $185 million of grant money this year to U.S. states and territories to bolster their cybersecurity defenses, which includes security awareness training. The program will provide $1 billion over the next four years to help states and territories become more resilient to cyber threats.
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program seeks to make targeted cybersecurity investments in state, local and tribal government agencies to improve the security of critical infrastructure and boost the resilience of the services these governments provide their communities.
The program ranks security awareness training as a priority for the cybersecurity posture of state and local governments. Such training is listed as one of four top objectives of the program.
The deadline for states to apply for grant funding this year is Nov. 15, 2022 at 5 p.m. ET
Local governments (counties, cities, etc.) cannot apply directly for funds and must work with their respective states’ when/if their states receive funding. That said, the program requires states to pass along 80% of funds received to local governments, so this is definitely something for local governments to keep an eye on.
The DHS will make funding selections no later than Nov. 30, 2022, and states will be notified no later than Dec, 31.
Grant Application Requirements
The focus of the application process centers on states explaining how their cybersecurity efforts will meet these four program objectives:
- Objective 1: Develop and establish appropriate governance structures, including developing, implementing, or revising cybersecurity plans, to improve capabilities to respond to cybersecurity incidents and ensure continuity of operations
- Objective 2: Understand their current cybersecurity posture and areas for improvement based on continuous testing, evaluation, and structured assessments
- Objective 3: Implement security protections commensurate with risk
- Objective 4: Ensure organization personnel are appropriately trained in cybersecurity, commensurate with responsibility
The DHS says the application should consist of up to four investments, one for each objective. Details on a state’s cybersecurity plan and cybersecurity planning committee must also be included.
Click here to see full application requirements on the DHS website.
How Security Awareness Training Fits In
Cybersecurity training gets several mentions in the grant program description and details. Not only is training a program objective all on its own, “bolstering the knowledge, skills, and abilities of personnel” must be part of the required Cybersecurity Plan.
Explore how KnowBe4’s new-school security awareness training can equip your employees with the knowledge they need to thwart cybersecurity threats of all types with a free demo.
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