New York State is making $13.9 million in federal grant funding available to help local governments improve their cybersecurity infrastructure – but instead of issuing checks, the state will procure the cybersecurity tools directly.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the release of the combined fiscal year 2022 and 2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Request for Applications, inviting eligible entities across the state to apply for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) tokens.
“From our bank accounts and social media to the critical infrastructure we rely on as a state, every facet of everyday life depends on a robust network of cybersecurity systems,” Hochul said in a statement. “I’m investing in modern cyber infrastructure and tools, so New York stays ahead of emerging threats and to ensure that every New Yorker feels secure in the systems they count on.”
According to Hochul’s office, the application was developed to help reduce cyber risk and build cyber resiliency in local governments statewide. The MFA tokens are a core component of this initiative. The state will supply hardware tokens and professional services to help eligible governments integrate MFA into their environments.
The $13.9 million in funding comes from the federal SLCGP and is designed to broaden access to advanced cybersecurity defenses throughout New York’s public sector.
To maximize the impact of the limited funds, the state will procure and distribute the MFA tokens under shared services agreements.
The New York State Office of Information Technology Services will oversee the distribution, training, and ongoing support for the program.
