Momentum in Public Health Cybersecurity Funding and Policy
With a heavy reliance on technology, public health preparedness staff, local and state IT staff, and public health leaders play a role in strengthening resilience to cyber disruptions within their communities.
In a 2018 listening session at the Preparedness Summit, major gaps identified by local health departments (LHDs) included a lack of awareness of their organization’s role in responding to a cyberattack, difficulty getting leadership buy-in to conduct cybersecurity preparedness activities, and lack of public health-specific cybersecurity preparedness guidance and resources. Fast forward a few years, only 13% of LHDs feel prepared for a cyber-related disruption as found in NACCHO’s 2022 Preparedness Profile Study. This data combined with the increase of cyberattacks to the healthcare and public health (HPH) sector, funding for cybersecurity related initiatives, and federal agencies prioritizing these very challenges drove the creation of NACCHO’s first Cybersecurity Policy Statement. This recently published statement supports the ever-growing need for cybersecurity activities at the LHD level.
Click here to view the policy statement.
Fact Sheet for Local Health Departments
Additionally, a new NACCHO fact sheet provides actionable steps and strategies for local health department leaders and preparedness and IT staff to protect against cyber disruptions. It shares some of the strategies that LHDs and healthcare organizations use to protect against and prepare for cyber disruptions. Resources provided in the fact sheet include the HHS Cybersecurity Gateway, which is a one-stop shop for Healthcare and Public Health sector specific cybersecurity information and resources from across several federal agencies. The NACCHO cybersecurity fact sheet serves as a tool for public health preparedness staff, IT, and leadership.
Click here to download the fact sheet.
Funding Opportunity: Deadline December 3
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced changes to its State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). The updates to the SLCGP for FY 2024 reflect a continued commitment to enhancing the cybersecurity resilience of state, local, and territorial governments. By addressing these key changes and objectives, applicants can better prepare to mitigate cyber risks and protect critical infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security announced $279.9 million dollars for the FY 2024 for this program. For more detailed information, click here to visit the SLCGP CISA website.
Additionally, a notice of funding opportunity is open and closes on December 3, 2024. Click here for details.
For information on the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP), click here to visit the TCGP CISA website.
