
Businesses may be able to take a little sigh of relief that some help may be coming to the persistent threat of ransomware attacks. The DHS announced that significant funds will be provided to a number of public and private sectors to help improve the nation’s protection against data security attacks and other crises.
The Feb. 25 Announcement
On February 25, 2021, DHS announced its funding notice for several different types of cyber preparedness grants worth nearly $1.87 billion. After noticing a rise in both the number and complexity of cyber threats faced by communities, including targeted ransomware attacks on our infrastructure, hospital, transportation systems, DHS identified five critical priority areas for attention for its fiscal 2021 grant cycle: 1) cybersecurity; 2) soft targets and crowded places; 3) intelligence and information sharing; 4) domestic violent extremism; and 5) emerging threats. These grant programs provide funding to state, local, tribal/territorial governments, transportation authorities, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to improve the nation’s readiness in preventing, protecting against, responding to, recovering from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.
The DHS announced several non-competitive grants which are to be awarded to recipients based on several factors:
- State Homeland Security Program – The State Homeland Security Program provides $415 million to support the implementation of risk-driven, capabilities-based state homeland security strategies to address capability targets;
- Urban Area Security Initiative – The Urban Area Security Initiative provides $615 million to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in 31 high-threat, high-density areas; and
- Emergency Management Performance Grant (“EMPG”) – EMPG provides more than $355 million to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities; and
- Intercity Passenger Rail – Amtrak Program – The Amtrak Program provides $10 million to Amtrak to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and increase the resilience of the Amtrak rail system.
Moreover, the DHS announced several competitive grants, including:
- Operation Stonegarden – Operation Stongarden provides $90 million to enhance cooperation and coordination among state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal law enforcement agencies to jointly enhance security along the United States land and water borders;
- Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program – The Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program provides $15 million to eligible tribal nations to implement preparedness initiatives to help strengthen the nation against risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards;
- The Nonprofit Security Grant Program – The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides $180 million to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack;
- Port Security Grant Program – The Port Security Grant Program provides $100 million to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management, and maintain or re-establish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities;
- Transit Security Grant Program – The Transit Security Grant Program provides $88 million to owners and operators of public transit systems to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure; and
- Intercity Bus Security Program – The Intercity Bus Security Program provides $2 million to owners and operators of intercity bus systems to protect surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.
Impact on Business
Private sector businesses can apply for these grants, especially if they are in the process of developing and creating cyberwarfare and other data defense tools. Grant information can be found here.
Octillo has responded to countless data breaches and is always comforted to see more dollars that foster collaboration between public and private sectors to help defend and protect U.S. business and more.
If you have questions about the grant dollars or how to apply, please contact a Octillo attorney at 716.898.2102.
*Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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