In the near future, I intend to propose new legislation providing a state-level investment to supplement and expand upon the State and Local Cybersecurity Grants Program as passed for states in the IIJA and announced through FEMA.

I express my growing concerns over the potential risks to individuals and organizations across both private and public sectors, including our commonwealth’s electrical grids, airports and public utilities.  From Beaver to Bucks County, our critical infrastructure in the commonwealth is dependent on the integrity of its technological systems. This dependence presents a liability regarding maintaining operations in the event of a cybersecurity attack. The targeted equipment hacking of the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa in the fall of 2023 has prompted renewed calls for legislative action to provide funding for utilities. While phone and radio systems thankfully remain operational for the Bucks 911 system, ongoing investigative work continues around the clock to ensure no sensitive data had been exposed while the county triages through this unfortunate incident to bring its automated emergency response system back online. While I applaud the current infusion of federal dollars, I am also keenly aware of new requirements on federally regulated entities, like our airports.
 
While we recognize that the federal government has stepped up recently to allocate $5.2 million in funding for Pennsylvania on cybersecurity initiatives, progress must continue where feasible. A few notable bipartisan examples of states’ appropriation of dollars specific to cybersecurity line-items in their budgets include Florida, Maine, Texas and Virginia, as well as Minnesota, Montana and Washington as it relates to their state agencies.
 
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 budget, I intend to introduce legislation to provide $10 million in state supplemental funding, mirroring and expanding on recent federal programs. We must help our counties and local partners further reduce possible vulnerabilities in their processes and ramp up technological resources.

I invite you to join me as a cosponsor of this important proposal as we embark on our annual appropriations process.