The Department of Homeland (DHS), through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), announced $18.2 million in cybersecurity grants this week through the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP), which assists Tribal nations in tackling cyber risks and threats.
These are the first-ever Tribal Cybersecurity Grants to be awarded. The TCGP will provide funding to over 30 different Tribal nations, marking the largest number of awards given to Tribal nations by the DHS.
“For far too long, Tribal Nations have faced digital and cybersecurity threats without the resources necessary to build resilience,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
“The Department of Homeland Security’s first-ever Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program awards announced today – made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – will help tribes and Tribal communities ensure they have the tools to assess risks, implement solutions, and increase cyber defenses,” Mayorkas added.
Under the program, award winners will be expected to engage in free cybersecurity services provided by CISA. These include Cyber Hygiene Vulnerability Scanning, which assesses external network presence, and the Nationwide Cybersecurity Review, an annual self-assessment designed to measure the strengths and weaknesses of a recipient’s cybersecurity programs.
“These grants will help Tribal Nations combat the growing cyber threats they face every day and build resilience for their critical infrastructure,” CISA Director Jen Easterly said. “We’re proud to work with our Federal partners to help Tribal Nations strengthen their cybersecurity.”
