ATLANTA – GEMA/HS and GTA announced they have awarded $4.8 million in cybersecurity grants to 55 Georgia institutions.
release:
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and Georgia Technology Agency (GTA) are pleased to announce the first series of awards from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) . GTA, GEMA/HS, and the Georgia Cybersecurity Planning Commission carefully reviewed applicants for this $4,875,501.00 program. We are pleased to announce that 55 agencies have been selected for this highly competitive grant award.
Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), Congress enacted the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act and established the SLCGP grant program. The purpose of SLCGP grants is to provide funding to eligible state and local entities to address cybersecurity risks and threats to their information systems.
“In today’s environment, cybersecurity must be a top priority for every organization,” said Steve Hodges, state chief information security officer and head of the GTA’s Office of Information Security. “We are pleased to play a role in the grant program and stand ready to serve as a resource for agencies across the state.”
SLCGP’s goal is to assist state, local, and tribal governments in managing and mitigating systemic cyber risks. Successful applicants were able to explain how their request met the following SLCGP program goals:
Objective 1: Develop and establish appropriate governance structures, including the development, implementation, and revision of cybersecurity plans, to improve the ability to respond to cybersecurity incidents and ensure business continuity. Goal 2: Understand your current cybersecurity posture and areas for improvement based on continuous testing, assessment, and structured assessment. Goal 3: Implement security protections commensurate with the risks. Goal 4: Ensure that your organization’s personnel have appropriate cybersecurity training commensurate with their responsibilities.
Interested institutions should note that the next application period for SLCGP funding will be from October 28 to November 28, 2024. For more information about SLCGP, email GEMA-GRANTS@gema.ga.gov or visit gema.georgia.gov/press. -releases/2024-09-19/gemahs-awarded-125-million-gang-activity-prosecution-grant.
