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6 State Agencies Planning Cybersecurity Improvements

Several California agencies are looking to make improvements to their information security operations in the upcoming budget year.

Several California agencies are looking to make improvements to their information security operations in the upcoming budget year.

Following the recent release of Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget address, state departments are in the process of submitting 2017-18 funding requests. While submissions cover a range of topics, some requests suggest there may be a movement among state agencies to invest more in cybersecurity. Here’s a quick look at six funding proposals that reflect this potential trend:

  1. The California Department of Transportation requested more that $4 million for consultant contracts, one-time and ongoing software and hardware purchases, six permanent positions, and ongoing training expenses. Funding will also support Caltrans in developing its Enterprise IT Security Program Roadmap.

  2. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) proposed to spend $1.5 million on hardware, software and vendor services. These components will support CDCR in opening its own security operations center.

  3. With the goal of developing and running an effective information security and risk management program, the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) asked for $281,000 from the General Fund for a systems software specialist and staff information systems analyst specialist. The two full-time employees will work under the DOR’s Information Security Office, helping safeguard the data of more than 100,000 individuals.

  4. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), looking to establish its own Information Security Office (ISO), has asked for $278,000 in 2017-18 and $274,000 in 2018-19. The funding will be used to make the data processing manager and systems analyst positions permanent within the ISO.

  5. A $303,000 budget change was proposed by the State Treasurer’s Office to provide support to the cyber-risk management program managed by its Information Technology Division. According to the submission, the recommended expenditure would permit “acquisition of vulnerability assessment, continuous network monitoring and log management security products,” as well as a full-time systems software specialist.

  6. The Public Utilities Commission proposed spending $665,000 to establish a cybersecurity regulatory group. Made up of four highly technical analysts, the group will be charged with myriad tasks, including examining new policy debates, and evaluating proposed frameworks and best practices. Money would come from the PUC Utilities Reimbursement Account funded by user fees.
Maggie Cabrey is a staff writer for Techwire.