Governor Hochul Announces $9 Million Awarded Through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

This release was originally distributed by the Governor's Press Office. The original can be viewed on the Governor's website.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $9 million from the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program will support the delivery of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) hard tokens to 161 counties, municipalities, school districts and public authorities throughout the state. MFA requires two or more proofs of identity, making it more difficult for cyberattackers to gain access to private accounts.

“Cyber threats are everywhere and with the important role technology plays in our day-to-day lives, it is crucial that organizations have the resources they need to keep themselves safe,” Governor Hochul said. “These tokens will go a long way in supporting our partners and making our state safer overall. We will not wait for an attack to expose vulnerabilities – we are acting now to strengthen our defenses across the state.”

Funding for this initiative is made through the Combined FY2022 and FY2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, a federal program jointly administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency aimed at strengthening cybersecurity practices and the resilience of state, local, and territorial governments. The state Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), the New York State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Planning Committee, and the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services coordinated the initiative. ITS will administer the program.

New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern said, “Governor Hochul is making it clear: cybersecurity is a top priority for every level of government in New York. By delivering these MFA tokens, we are providing 161 local partners with a proven, physical layer of security that stops unauthorized access in its tracks. This is a practical, high-impact investment that protects our essential services and strengthens the entire state’s digital footprint.”

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “As cyber threats continue to grow, it’s critical that organizations at the county and local levels have the resources they need to keep their IT infrastructure safe. Multi-factor authentication is a foundational element of strong cyber defenses, and thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, we have been able to utilize this federal funding to deliver this critical security measure to 161 partners across the state.”

New York State Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services Dru Rai said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is showing the nation how to significantly enhance the cybersecurity posture of its state agencies, corporations, public authorities, and yes, its local governments too. It’s simple: Whole of state means whole of state, and every entity must have access to the knowledge and tools to help themselves in the fight against growing cyber threats. ITS is pleased and proud to administer the program that will allow many more local governments to utilize MFA to lock down their assets and better protect themselves.”

New York Association of Counties President Phil Church said, “Cybersecurity tools like Multi-Factor Authentication are no longer optional for county and local governments, they are essential to protecting sensitive data and reducing cyber risk. This investment will help counties and our local partners strengthen basic security protections and critical systems that New Yorkers rely on every day. Counties commend Governor Hochul’s leadership on cybersecurity and commitment to ensuring these vital resources reach communities across the state.”

Senator Charles Schumer said, “Bolstering our local government and school districts against cybersecurity threats has never been more important. That’s why I’m proud to deliver $9 million in federal funding to ensure the Empire State has the most state-of-the-art cyber defenses to protect New Yorkers from bad actors. I thank Governor Hochul for her strong leadership on cybersecurity and promise to keep fighting to deliver federal resources to help prevent cyberattacks in New York.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “This cybersecurity investment is a major step forward in protecting New York. As cyber threats continue to grow, it is critical that New Yorkers are prepared and that organizations across our state, including school districts and public authorities, have the resources they need to protect themselves. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s work to keep New Yorkers safe, and I will continue fighting to bring home resources to strengthen our security.”

Representative Joseph Morelle said, “Technology has rapidly become a necessity for everyday life, and ensuring our institutions stay protected against potential threats and bad actors is critical,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe from cyber threats, and I look forward to continuing our work to build a stronger, safer future for our state.”

Representative Tim Kennedy said, “As Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, I’ve made it a priority to ensure Western New York has the federal resources needed to meet today’s growing cybersecurity threats. This $9 million investment will deliver critical multi-factor authentication hard tokens to counties, school districts, and local governments across Erie and Niagara Counties – strengthening our defenses, protecting public services, and keeping residents’ data safe. I applaud Governor Hochul’s leadership on this critical issue, and I will continue fighting to bring federal dollars home to help Western New York stay secure and resilient.”

New York Association of Towns Executive Director Christopher Koetzle said, “Local governments are on the front lines of providing essential services, and they are increasingly targeted by cyber threats. We are grateful to the Governor for recognizing this challenge and providing funding that will help communities strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and better protect our towns across the state.”

New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps said, “Cybersecurity is no longer optional for local governments -- it is a core public safety issue. This investment in multi-factor authentication tokens is a meaningful step toward strengthening cybersecurity across the State. We appreciate the Governor’s partnership and commitment to helping our members strengthen their ability to safeguard sensitive data and maintain essential municipal services.”

The following applicants will receive MFA hard tokens:

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