The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is a federal grant program that provides funding to eligible state, local, and territorial governments to improve their cybersecurity posture. The program is administered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The program is a valuable resource for state, local, and territorial governments in Michigan to improve their cybersecurity posture. The program provides funding and support to help entities implement the State’s Cybersecurity Plan and to address cybersecurity risks and threats.
On August 4, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the State of Michigan Cybersecurity Plan, submitted by the Cybersecurity Planning Committee.
Learn who is eligible for grant funds and how to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2024 grant cycle is March 1, 2024.
Michigan’s SLCGP and Objectives
The Michigan Cybersecurity Planning Committee, established on October 19, 2022, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the SLCGP in Michigan. The committee is comprised of representatives from state government, local government, institutions of public education, and institutions of public health.
The State of Michigan was awarded a $4.7M grant for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 and $9.6M for FFY 2023. These funds will be used to implement the State’s Cybersecurity Plan and to provide sub-grants to local governments and tribal governments for cybersecurity projects.
The SLCGP has four overall objectives:
- Develop and establish appropriate governance structures, including developing, implementing, or revising cybersecurity plans, to improve capabilities to respond to cybersecurity incidents and ensure continuity of operations.
- Understand their current cybersecurity posture and areas for improvement based on continuous testing, evaluation, and structured assessments.
- Implement security protections commensurate with risk.
- Ensure organization personnel are appropriately trained in cybersecurity, commensurate with responsibility.
Are You Eligible for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program?
The SLCGP is designed to help state and local governments improve their cybersecurity. The State is currently working with the statewide Cybersecurity Planning Committee to develop a statewide cybersecurity plan and provide cybersecurity education and outreach engagements. The eligibility requirements, as defined on michigan.gov, are as follows:
“All 56 states and territories, including any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, are eligible to apply for SLCGP funds. States are required to pass down 80% of the total funding to local governments and tribal governments which will then apply directly to their State Administrative Agency (SAA) for funding.“
To apply for and receive funds, eligible entities must follow these steps:
- Establish a Cybersecurity Planning Committee.
- Develop a Cybersecurity Plan.
- Submit an application to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
- CISA will review the applications and select the projects that best meet the goals of the program.
- Once a project is selected, the eligible entity will receive a grant award. The eligible entity must then implement the project and submit reports to CISA on the progress of the project.
The process for implementing cybersecurity solutions through this grant is as follows:
- The eligible entity must first develop a Cybersecurity Plan. This plan must address the entire jurisdiction and incorporate cybersecurity best practices.
- The eligible entity must then submit an application to CISA. The application must include the Cybersecurity Plan, a description of the proposed projects, and a budget.
- CISA will review the applications and select the projects that best meet the goals of the program.
- Once a project is selected, the eligible entity will receive a grant award. The eligible entity must then implement the project and submit reports to CISA on the progress of the project.
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What Projects are Approved Under the SLCGP in Michigan?
The following projects have been approved by the Cybersecurity Planning Committee and will be implemented using SLCGP funding:
Cybersecurity Plan Enhancement: This project will further refine and enhance the Michigan Cybersecurity Plan.
Incident Response Planning & Training: This project will develop incident response planning curriculum and services to be implemented at eligible local government entities.
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Services: This project will procure and distribute advanced EDR licensing and services to local entities.
Cybersecurity Assessments: This project will provide access to cybersecurity assessments for local and rural entities utilizing established Mi-DEAL Security Assessment Vendors.
A Quick Look at Benefits & Who is Can Provide Assistance
The SLCGP provides a number of benefits to Michigan entities, including:
- Increased funding for cybersecurity: The SLCGP provides much-needed funding to help state and local governments in Michigan improve their cybersecurity posture.
- Improved cybersecurity coordination: The SLCGP helps to improve the coordination of cybersecurity efforts across state and local government agencies.
- Increased cybersecurity awareness and training: The SLCGP helps to increase cybersecurity awareness and training for state and local government employees.
Not sure how to do this on your own? That’s perfectly OK! Organizations that are eligible for assisting through the grant include managed security service providers (MSSP), managed service providers (MSP) with security offerings, security consulting firms, and tecnology vendors. As a Michigan-based MSP, Dark blue Technologies can help you through this grant with effective cybersecurity solutions and consulting.
Get Started
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program is a valuable resource for state, local, and territorial governments in Michigan to improve their cybersecurity posture. The program provides funding and support to help entities implement the State’s Cybersecurity Plan and to address cybersecurity risks and threats.
Have questions? Looking to get started with this grant? Contact Dark Blue Technologies and we’ll discuss the grant in more detail. We can assist you in applying for the grant and finding cybersecurity solutions that meet its criteria.
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