During the first months of Trump’s new administration, the White House cut off the budgets, staff and cyber initiatives. And some, including cyberpolis experts and legislatorsThey are not happy with it.
One of them is Colin AchernThe head of the New York State. In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Ahern said that both he and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are worried that Trump’s Trump’s cuts are jeopardizing the country.
“We work with the federal government on the day and day. We need and want the federal government to be effective,” Ahern told TechCrunch. “I think it’s no secret that we are worried about some of the things – many of the things, in fact – that we see with the” big bad bill “, with the swabs that have just passed,” Ahern said, referring to the budget of Trump’s flagship.
The cuts in Trump’s cyberspace were wide and extensive.
Since taking over the duties, Trump’s administration has fired more than a hundred CISA officials, some of whom the government had to call after a court ruling reversed the ruling. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act Safety costs in cyberspace to federal organizations by more than $ 1.2 billion, including CISA cutting budget $ 135 million, while at the same time promoting $ 1 billion over the next four years for cyberspace for hacking businesses abroad.
Meanwhile, the White House candidacy For the National Government Director was criticized For its lack of previous experience in the area and the US Department of Education An initiative of cyber support is suspended For K-12 schools.
“Everyone wants a federal government that has significant potential to prevent our opponents who are resistant to cyberattacks and other attacks by our enemies,” Ahern told TechCrunch. “As we said publicly, we believe that what is happening in Washington puts these things at risk.”
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While the US Federal Government, much of the country’s cyber security responsibility, individual states share an important mandate to secure their own networks, government agencies such as public schools, as well as those of critical infrastructure, such as water businesses. But some of the funding is from Washington.
Earlier this month, Hochul wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Security Kristi Noem To request the available funding under the Grant Homeland Security (HSGP) program, which provides state and local services with funds to improve security in the real world and the internet.
“HSGP funding is vital to securing and maintaining critical infrastructure assets (transport nodes, electric networks, water supply systems, communication networks),” wrote Hochul, who urged Noem to make available funds “immediately”.
While Ahern recognizes the challenges with the federal government, he said it does not mean that the state is still “standing”.
“We continue to invest our time, our resources and our energy in building relationships in state lines, in party lines, [and] Relations with our county and our local governments, so that we can continue to provide the safe, durable and affordable New York that we believe has really made New York the cultural, economic and economic center that remains, “he said.
According to Ahern, Hochul was vocal and is active in its efforts to improve cyber security in New York.
Last month, Governor signed new legislation This will require anyone to work with a computer in a state, city, county or regional government office in the state of New York to receive cyber -awareness training. The law will also impose government government offices that are victims of Cyberettacks to report incidents at the State Domestic Security Office within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours, including provisions.
Last week, Hochul also announced new proposed Legislation for the launch of a new grant program for water and sewage organizations with the aim of helping them to finance upgrades that will have to end up in order to comply with the upcoming regulations.
Ahern told TechCrunch that the state government is opening a new office in New York to be staffed by several technologists, including cyberspace. Ahern said he hoped to recruit some who lost their jobs due to Trump’s administration.
“Doge says you are fired. New York says you have been hired,” Ahern said, referring to government public slogan for this attempt to hire.
