Have you ever heard in regards to the State and Native Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)? It’s a part of the federal authorities’s broader effort to reinforce the cybersecurity capabilities of state and native governments. The nascent “complete of state” strategy to cybersecurity that’s changing into a key matter in authorities is being fueled by this system’s $1 Billion/4-years of “free cash” from the Federal authorities.
The funds are incentivizing states to supply cybersecurity companies to native governments quite than the standard methodology (passing-through money). At current, a minimum of thirty states are offering cybersecurity companies to native and Tribal governments with extra states anticipated to announce the rollout of complete of state cybersecurity.
As you think about the best way to leverage SLCGP grants for a complete of state strategy, there are 5 issues I recommend Cisco account managers and companions ought to pay attention to.
- Understanding SLCGP funding: Cisco clients, account managers, and companions needs to be conversant in how the SLCGP allocates funding to states and the way states distribute funds or companies to native governments. The “complete of state” strategy goals to make sure that cybersecurity funding is not only allotted to states for state use; as an alternative, a minimum of 80% of funds should profit native governments and rural communities. Native authorities cost-share or matching funds start at 10% in yr one and rises to 40% in yr 4. SLCGP funds should complement current cybersecurity expenditures and should by no means supplant or substitute accredited and budgeted expenditures.
- States choose the distributors and cybersecurity companies offered to native governments: Cisco account managers and companions ought to talk to state clients why Cisco services and products should be out there to native and rural governments. If a state creates an inventory of SLCGP-funded services and products for native governments, Cisco clients profit most if Cisco services and products are on the listing. States aren’t publishing the names of native governments awarded subgrants, nor particulars of cybersecurity companies offered to named native governments.
- Buyer Cybersecurity Planning and Technique: Improvement of complete cybersecurity plans that embrace danger assessments, useful resource allocation, and incident response methods is an eligible expense for state and native governments. Cisco account managers and companions needs to be ready to contribute to those plans by providing their experience in cybersecurity and by understanding the particular wants and challenges confronted by their public sector shoppers.
- Compliance and Finest Practices: Recipients of SLCGP funds will probably be required to stick to specified cybersecurity finest practices and requirements. Cisco account managers and companions have to be well-versed in these necessities, which can embrace frameworks like NIST (Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Expertise), to make sure that the options they’re providing are compliant and may be funded by the grant.
- Academic and Workforce Improvement: A portion of the grants could also be allotted to cybersecurity training of the shopper’s workforce. Cisco account managers and companions ought to pay attention to Cisco’s personal coaching and certification packages, such because the Cisco Networking Academy, which may be built-in into broader instructional initiatives.
As you analysis funding for complete of state and different wants, it’s additionally necessary to remain up to date on the most recent bulletins by state governments of state grant packages, aggressive subgrants, and utility deadlines. For probably the most present info, Cisco account managers and companions ought to attain out to your Cisco Public Funding Advisor. They’ll be glad to assist reply any questions you could have about complete of state or different funding alternatives.
Further assets for complete of state and public funding
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