ICYMI: Senator Hassan Visits Center for Internet Security to Discuss Importance of Bolstering Cybersecurity for State and Local Entities

EAST GREENBUSH, NY - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, last week visited the Center for Internet Security (CIS) to be briefed about cybersecurity threats specifically targeting state and local entities. CIS is an independent, nonprofit organization that directly provides services and resources to state and local entities to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. Additionally, CIS helps state and local entities connect to federal government cybersecurity resources such as information on cyber threats and best cybersecurity practices.

During her visit to CIS, where she was joined by the Center's President and CEO, John Gilligan, the Senator heard more about the tools, resources, and services that CIS provides state and local entities to prepare for and respond to these threats. Additionally, Senator Hassan talked with CIS employees who were participating in an exercise designed to prepare participants for a major cyberattack. In 2019, Senator Hassan successfully led efforts to protect funding for this organization.

"A cyberattack on a state or local government network can put schools, electrical grids, and crucial services in jeopardy," Senator Hassan said. "New Hampshire has many rural communities, where local entities often don't have the cybersecurity personnel or training that they need in order to protect against cyberattacks, which is why I have worked to strengthen state and local governments' cyber defenses. The Center for Internet Security serves as an important resource that helps state and local governments, and other entities, develop best practices for securing their cyber networks against threats."

"We were pleased to welcome Senator Hassan to the Center for Internet Security (CIS) and are deeply appreciative of her proactive support for increasing the cybersecurity resilience of state and local governments," said CIS President and CEO, John Gilligan. "The Congressionally funded Multi-State Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), operated by CIS, continues to be an essential catalyst for improving cyber protection as more U.S. State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) government institutions, including K-12 schools, election offices, and other critical infrastructure organizations, recognize the value of working together to counter the increasingly sophisticated and persistent cyber threats against public institutions. Parallel initiatives by Senator Hassan and her colleagues, such as the billion dollar SLTT Cybersecurity grant program, are providing critically needed seed funding to accelerate adoption of cybersecurity best practices and cyber defense solutions for local, rural, and tribal SLTT organizations."

Senator Hassan is leading bipartisan efforts to strengthen cybersecurity in New Hampshire and across the country. Senator Hassan worked to pass into law her measure to create a Cybersecurity Coordinator in every state to help federal, state, and local governments, as well as schools, hospitals, and other entities, coordinate and better protect their systems against cyberattacks. Senator Hassan also helped secure a measure in the bipartisan infrastructure law to create and fund a state and local cybersecurity grant program. Furthermore, the Homeland Security Committee recently voted to advance Senator Hassan's National Risk Management Act, which she introduced with Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure sectors by requiring the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to continually conduct a five-year National Risk Management Cycle. In addition, Senator Hassan successfully secured her bipartisan amendment in an annual defense bill to ensure that the National Guard can help state and local governments and businesses improve their cybersecurity.