Cybersecurity Grants

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State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established grant funding through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) to award grants to eligible entities to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems.

The SLCGP provides funding to state and local governments to improve their cybersecurity capabilities. Administered through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the program aims to help state and local governments improve their cybersecurity posture and better protect their networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. The program provides grant funding for activities such as implementation of security technologies, cybersecurity training and incident response planning.  

The grant funds are available to municipalities, counties, K12, and the water sector here in Wisconsin.


​​​​​General Information ​

The goal of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is to help states' local governments, rural areas, and school districts to develop security based on systems already in place to maximize operational interoperability, minimize cost while incorporating an organizations' knowledge of existing systems here in Wisconsin. 

Program Objectives:

  • 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.
  • Understand current cybersecurity posture improvement based on continuous testing, evaluation, and structured assessments.
  • Implement security protections commensurate with risk.
  • Ensure organization personnel are appropriately trained in cybersecurity, commensurate with responsibility.​


Eligibility Requirements​

Local governments are eligible as sub applicants and must work with their state or territory's Cybersecurity Planning Committee to receive awards. Local governments are defined as a county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments (regardless of whether the council of governments is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law), regional or interstate government entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government; an Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or in Alaska a Native village or Alaska Regional Native Corporation; and a rural community, unincorporated town or village, or other public entity. 

Program eligibility requirements include:​

  • A minimum of 80% of state allocations must pass through to local governments.
  • In addition, at least 25% of the total funds made available under the grant must pass through to rural communities.
  • A maximum of 20% can be used by state agencies to administer the grant program.

Program Status:

  • Developing a state-wide Cybersecurity Plan based on CISA/FEMA approved State Plans.
  • Working with Cities, Counties, K12 and Water Sector to develop detailed implementation plan. 


Municipality Funding​

Adoption of security best practices and advancements toward zero-trust architecture are required to be included in individual projects.

Focus areas include:
  • Multi-factor Authentication
  • Network Security
  • Backup Protection
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Software and Hardware
  • Cybersecurity Education​


School District Funding​

Adoption of security best practices and advancements toward zero-trust architecture are required to be included in individual projects.

Focus areas include: 

  • Multi-factor Authentication
  • Network Security
  • Backup Protection
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Software and Hardware
  • Cybersecurity Education


Water Sector Funding​

Adoption of security best practices and advancements toward zero-trust architecture are required to be included in individual projects.

Focus areas include: 

  • Multi-factor Authentication
  • Network Security
  • Backup Protection
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Software and Hardware
  • Cybersecurity Education


Resources​

State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions:

https://www.cisa.gov/cybergrants-faq

State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Fact Sheet:

https://www.cisa.gov/cybergrants-fact-sheet

DET.WI.gov: https://det.wi.gov/Pages/Security.aspx​​