By: VC3
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, special districts face growing challenges remaining cybersecure. The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is a federal initiative designed to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments enhance their cybersecurity capabilities, mitigate risks, and build more resilient systems.
This article will walk you through the essentials of the program and how it can benefit your special district.
What is the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program?
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program is part of a larger federal effort to improve cybersecurity across the United States. Managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the program provides funding to state and local governments to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. The goal is to help them reduce vulnerabilities, respond to incidents more effectively, and build the necessary capacity to protect critical infrastructure and public services.
The State of California has released $19 million in State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) funding that local governments may apply for by Friday, September 27. This is the first time California has provided funds for the SLCGP. The funds provided are for the SLCGP FY22 and FY23 grant funding years. Grant funds can cover up to $250,000 in costs from December 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026. And there is no match requirement!
In California, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is responsible for managing the grant application submission and award administration process. Local governments will submit a grant application and must meet all program and grant administration requirements. Cal OES’s Cybersecurity Planning Committee will then identify, prioritize, and distribute funds for individual projects.
We cannot overstate that this is a rare funding opportunity—an opportunity you need to seize.
SLCGP funding helps removes common obstacles that often prevent special districts from improving cybersecurity:
- Special districts that don’t have money budgeted to invest in better cybersecurity.
- Special districts that lag in their information technology (IT).
- Special districts that only act when a major disruption occurs, rather than proactively.
What can I fund through this program?
Under the SLCGP, states receive federal funds to distribute to local governments based on specific needs and strategic priorities. These funds can be used for a variety of cybersecurity initiatives such as:
- Managed IT Services: The goal of managed IT services is to ensure the reliability, security, and performance of your IT infrastructure. From a security perspective, managed IT services can include implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR), encrypting data, and ending the use of outdated and unsupported hardware and software.
- Managed Security Services: Organizations can collaborate with a cybersecurity service provider to enhance their security posture, protect digital assets, and mitigate the risk of cyber threats—especially if they do not have the internal expertise to keep up with cybersecurity best practices, tools, and threats.
- Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: Cyberattacks can be devastating to special districts that do not effectively back up their data and have the ability to recover it after an incident. You can work to minimize operational disruption and mitigate risk with onsite and offsite data backup solutions.
- Security Awareness Training: In order for people to recognize threats, they need to see examples and practice identifying them. Security awareness training keeps employees up to date with evolving cybercriminal tactics. You can customize training for individuals who need more practice and make the training ongoing to keep security fresh in everyone’s minds.
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Eligibility and Application Process
States, local governments, and territorial entities are eligible to apply for SLCGP funds. The application process involves the following steps:
- Complete the FY 2024 SL Program NOI and save to a PDF.
- Complete the Cybersecurity Maturity Survey and save to a PDF.
- Both PDFs must be submitted in one email to StateLocalProjects@caloes.ca.gov
- Complete the application by the deadline of Friday, September 27. Ensure that your proposal email submission is accurate and complete before sending. Resubmission or duplicate proposals will not be considered. (If you have not received a confirmation that your proposal was received within two business days of the date it was submitted, send an email to StateLocalProjects@caloes.ca.gov)
Remember to leverage CSDA and VC3 for help!
VC3, as an endorsed affiliate of CSDA, provides technology services to special districts. We’ve researched the grant and developed an easy process to help you take advantage of these funds if you wish to use VC3’s services.
VC3 will:
- Help you process the grant application.
- Ensure its technical and financial accuracy.
- Work with you to navigate Cal OES to submit it.
There is a very tight deadline to apply, and we will attempt to complete and submit grant applications in the order we receive commitment from special districts. The tight deadline is due to a variety of factors, but the deadline date is set by Cal OES.
Reach out to us ASAP to get the cybersecurity grant application submission process underway today!
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