Municipal leaders asked to complete Cybersecurity Assessment Survey

The Massachusetts Cybersecurity Planning Committee sent a survey to municipal leaders across the state this week in an effort to establish a baseline assessment of municipal cybersecurity capabilities and needs across the state.

The committee said the Municipal Cybersecurity Assessment Survey is a key part of its efforts to meet the requirements of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and to guide planning and funding priorities.

The deadline for municipalities to complete the anonymous survey is Feb. 28.

The survey will help shape the state’s strategic cybersecurity plan and set priorities for the use of federal grant funding. The plan is expected to be completed no later than this September.

After the plan is submitted and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, grant funds will be made available through a competitive application process managed by the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research.

The Commonwealth has secured more than $15 million in federal grant funds to strengthen cybersecurity across state and local governments. These federal funds will be distributed over a period of four years; more than $3.1 million of the grant funds will be made available in the fall of 2023.

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program is made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. In Massachusetts, the grant program involves collaboration between the OGR, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, and the MassCyberCenter at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

The agencies formed the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Planning Committee last October, as required by federal guidance for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. The Massachusetts committee is tasked with preparing a comprehensive strategic plan to reduce cybersecurity risk and increase the capabilities of the Commonwealth and municipal governments. The committee is composed of stakeholders from state government and municipal representatives from urban, suburban and rural communities.

• Read letter sent by state officials about the cybersecurity survey and grant program (PDF)