DeWine Announces $7 Million Grant to Support Local Government Cybersecurity

COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted announced new funding through CyberOhio to help local government entities with cybersecurity software and services to enhance their preparedness and resiliency.

A total of $7 million is now available through Ohio’s new CyberOhio local government grant program.

“Today we are taking another important step to ensure our local government partners are protected from cyber threats from around the world.” DeWine said. “These threats are constantly changing, and we need to help Ohio stay ahead.”

“Technology is embedded in almost all government services because it improves the way we serve our customers and saves money, but that also means we need to protect those services from bad actors.” Husted said. “It is critical that our local government partners across Ohio have the resources they need to protect our citizens and show businesses across the country that Ohio is a safe and secure environment in which to do business.”

Eligible security software and services include, but are not limited to: endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, secure email, vulnerability management, dot gov migration, and cybersecurity services from the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the Center for Internet Security. Applications are due July 22, and local governments should visit cyberohio.gov to apply.

“This funding is another tool in our collective defense toolbox” said Kirk Herath, cybersecurity strategy advisor. “The cybersecurity of our local government partners is critical to protecting Ohio. This funding will help our partners anticipate attacks and rapidly scale to protect critical government systems and citizen data.”

CyberOhio developed this grant program in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Adjutant General’s Office, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, local government entities, public sector partners, and cybersecurity experts.

DeWine initially created CyberOhio while serving as Ohio Attorney General. The program coordinates and directs Ohio’s cybersecurity efforts across all state executive branch agencies. CyberOhio facilitates and directs collaboration with other state agencies and departments, counties, local governments, academic institutions, and critical infrastructure partners to protect Ohio’s information infrastructure and data across sectors.

The $7 million grant for cybersecurity software is funded by the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, run by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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