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Watch on Washington Top 5- April 2018

By Yejin Jang posted May 03,2018 02:36 PM

  
1. Homeland security advisors survey discusses threats and level of preparedness  The National Governors Association released its 2017 Homeland Security Advisor Survey which discusses homeland security priorities from the perspective of HSAs from 44 states. Cyber tops the list of concerns but few feel prepared to address this threat. Read the full report here 

2. GAO to begin studying federal cyber regulation harmonization  In May, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will begin to study a long-time NASCIO priority, harmonization of disparate federal cyber regulations. The GAO request stems from an October, 2017 letterfrom House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC). 

3. Grants for elections security included in omnibus 
 Included in the 2018 omnibus appropriations act was the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Election Security Fund which made $380 million in grants available to states to secure and improve elections systems. There are six approved uses for the grants one of which is cybersecurity training for the state chief election official's office and local election officials. See the full list of funding by state and approved uses here . 
 
4. Devices approved for FirstNet  Seventeen devices have been approved by NIST to use on the FirstNet communications network for first responders. The list includes mostly Samsung and Apple devices and were evaluated according to a process overseen by NIST. See the full list here .

5. NGA request for applications  NGA is soliciting applications for technical assistance in two areas of interest to NASCIO members:  Harnessing the Power of Data to Achieve State Policy Goals (Medicaid and health-related) and Implementing State Cybersecurity. Applications are due May 2 and May 4, respectively. Details can be found on the State CIO Community. For more information, please contact  Lauren Block   for data and  David Forscey  for cyber.

See full NASCIO Connections April edition here.

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