by John Evans, Chief Technology Advisor of World Wide Technology for Route Fifty
As cyber threats become more sophisticated and pervasive, state and local government agencies, utilities, and educational institutions have become popular targets for nation-state adversaries and e-criminals.
Public sector chief information officers and chief information security officers must balance maintaining a digital-first presence with defending against these threats to safeguard student and citizen data. This is where a whole-of-state, also known as whole-of-enterprise or whole-of-campus, approach to cybersecurity can be invaluable.
A whole-of-state strategy acknowledges cybersecurity is not merely a collection of isolated efforts across agencies or departments. Instead, it emphasizes a cohesive and collaborative framework that spans the entire ecosystem. This focus on partnerships and resource sharing enhances the overall security posture across all levels, including state agencies, municipalities, utilities, and educational institutions.
The whole-of-state model can help agency leaders overcome many of the security challenges they face today, from siloed data and limited funding to cultural resistance and coordination hurdles. Before implementing this security approach, leadership must understand the benefits, challenges, and best practices for accelerating adoption.
