Considerations for Impaneling a Statewide Planning Committee
The initial priority for all entities seeking funding is to prepare a representative and competent cybersecurity planning committee. Understandably, half of the members must be IT or cybersecurity professionals. But while technical acumen is important, a statewide committee will require input from professionals in many fields. Public health representatives and public education representatives must also sit on the committee, which is useful, considering hospitals and schools are often the targets of cyberattacks.
Committees should also include local leaders from as many jurisdictions within the state as possible. Notably, a quarter of the funding any state receives through the SLCGP must be allocated to rural communities. As such, it stands to reason that those communities should have a proportional voice on the committee. Additionally, since money is the primary target of many cyberattacks, financial experts and stakeholders in vulnerable institutions should also be included.
Committee members will have a tremendous responsibility and should be selected intentionally and carefully. Ideally, each committee will be an…
