During a recent panel discussion hosted by RouteFifty, Zack Hudgins, a Privacy Manager for WaTech’s Office of Privacy and Data Protection, highlighted the State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program’s (SLCGP) important role in addressing the state’s cybersecurity challenges.
The grant program, he said, has helped bolster cybersecurity defenses across the state. He noted the state’s high-profile tech industry and significant military presence make it a prime target for cyberattacks. “We’re seeing the same kinds of attacks as other states, with local jurisdictions and school districts being hit by ransomware. Our large tech presence and some confusion between Washington state and Washington, D.C., likely increase the number of attacks we face,” he said.
Hudgins said the grant program has facilitated greater collaboration between state and local governments, as well as with private sector entities like Amazon and Microsoft. This real success was possible because of the partnership with the Military Department’s Emergency Management Division which is administering the grant.
Zack also highlighted the challenges of managing the high demand for grant funding. With over 2,500 jurisdictions in Washington state eligible for the grant, the demand has far exceeded available resources. “We saw a five-to-one and even seven-to-one ratio of requests to available funds, which created significant competition among applicants,” he said.
One concern raised by Zack is the sustainability of cybersecurity efforts once the grant funds run out. He pointed out that many local jurisdictions rely on subscription-based cybersecurity services, which may become unaffordable when the grant money is exhausted. To mitigate this risk, Washington’s grant planning committee prioritized projects with long-term viability in their funding decisions.
He also underscored the importance of training as a sustainable investment. The grant program has funded cybersecurity and privacy certification training for public employees, which Zack believes will provide lasting benefits. “Investing in training ensures that our workforce is better equipped to handle cybersecurity threats long after the grant period ends,” he said.
Zack was optimistic about the impact of the grant program, praising its role in strengthening cybersecurity across the state. He described it as a bipartisan success that has significantly improved the state’s ability to defend against cyber threats. “We’re stronger now, with a better security profile and improved collaboration across state and local governments,” Hudgins concluded.
As the federal cybersecurity grant program continues to roll out, Washington state’s experience demonstrates to the importance of sustained investment in cybersecurity, he said, and the power of collaboration in addressing the evolving threats of the digital age.