MDEM, DoIT Accepting Applications for State and Local Cybersecurity Grants – Conduit Street

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is accepting applications for State and Local Cybersecurity Grants to help keep public agency information systems safe. Applicants must submit their applications to MDEM by Monday, June 17, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

“We are pleased to work with our partners at all levels of government to help strengthen the information technology infrastructure across Maryland,” said MDEM Secretary Russ Strickland. “Residents expect to access information and services from government agencies safely, and this grant will help to strengthen the resilience of information technology systems.”

The SLCGP is a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity grant program for state and local governments nationwide to help them strengthen cyber resilience. Established by the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement and part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the SLCGP provides $1 billion in funding over four years to support state and local governments as they develop capabilities to detect, protect against, and respond to cyber threats.

The program’s goal is to help state and local governments address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems. It enables the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to make targeted cybersecurity investments in State and local government agencies, improving the security of critical infrastructure and the resilience of services provided to the public.

Each state and territory will receive a funding allocation determined by the statutory formula. Allocations for states and territories include a base level as defined for each entity: one percent for each state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and 0.25 percent for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly manage the program. CISA will provide subject-matter expertise and determine allowable activities, while FEMA will conduct eligibility reviews and issue/administer the grant awards consistent with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Applying for this award is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. The Maryland Cybersecurity Planning Committee, co-chaired by MDEM and the Maryland Department of Information Technology, has developed two programs to distribute the funds. Applicants are eligible to apply for both programs.

The first is a reimbursable Sub-grant program where eligible entities can apply for funding. The second is a Shared Services program where jurisdictions can receive support for:

• Cybersecurity assessments
• Vulnerability management
• Consultations on how to reduce risk
• Improving security
• Cyber readiness and resilience
• Hardening networks from the Department of Information Technology’s Office of Security Management

Visit this website for more information about the program and step-by-step instructions for creating an application packet. You also may email questions to slcgp.grant@maryland.gov.