NASCIO Pushes For Action on Cybersecurity; Endorses S. 1023

CIOs Commit to Working With Feds on Building Cyber Threat Information Sharing Network

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2015 — Today the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) endorsed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Credit Act (S 1023). The legislation, introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) provides federal tax credits to private industry that participates in cybersecurity Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) and fusion centers.

NASCIO announced its support at the association’s 2015 D.C. Fly-In, where more than 50 state CIOs and state technology policy officials met with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services. During the event, NASCIO members sat down with officials from the White House, Congress, and individuals throughout the administration in an effort to highlight cybersecurity issues in the states. 

“Most states, including Michigan, are already formally working as ISAOs and sharing cyber threat information with our key private sector partners,” explained David Behen, Co-chair of the NASCIO Security and Privacy Committee and CIO for the state of Michigan. “It is critical to establish partnerships between the public and private sectors on a regional basis in order to effectively and efficiently deter cyber threats.”

NASCIO members also met with the White House Cyber Security Coordinator Michael Daniel. The conversation focused on how states could work with the administration to increase information sharing on key cyber threats, as well as maturing and expanding cybersecurity programs.  State CIOs committed to growing the role of the states in sharing information among key public and private sector partners.

“State CIOs and their teams play a key role in securing state infrastructure against cyber threats,” said Stu Davis, president of NASCIO and CIO for the state of Ohio. “The sophistication of those threats are growing, and there are insufficient resources to meet them. It’s vital that we engage with our federal partners now to ensure we have the right structures in place. State governments—and our nation—are at risk.”