Lawmakers introduced legislation on September 2 to reauthorize a federal grant program for state cybersecurity initiatives—before the program expires at the end of September. Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act, known as the PILLAR Act, extends the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for 10 years. The bill focuses on the use of best practices to enhance cybersecurity, such as the importance of using multi-factor authentication, as well as integrating artificial intelligence. According to Route Fifty on September 4, the PILLAR Act stabilizes “cost-sharing agreements so that the federal government would provide 60% of a grant to a single entity that applies and 70% for a multi-entity group, with states providing the rest.”
A new brief from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) makes the economic case for digital accessibility in state government. In Beyond Compliance: The Economic Case for Digital Accessibility, published September 4, NASCIO points to multiple instances of the costs of digital inaccessibility. They list lawsuits that focus on inaccessible digital services; according to NASCIO, “a single accessibility lawsuit can cost up to $350,000, not including remediation costs and damage to an agency’s reputation. For state and local governments, these costs can negatively impact allocated budgets.” They argue for accessible digital design, describing the many benefits of that route. “State and local governments can avoid future financial risks and discover new opportunities to increase the value of digital citizen services to constituents by being intentional about digital accessibility,” NASCIO explains.
StateRAMP dba GovRAMP explains the difference between privacy and security—and why the difference matters for establishing trust at your regulatory agency. “Every time governments adopt new technology, they inherit a responsibility: to protect the information citizens entrust to them. That protection has two dimensions — privacy and security. They work together, but they are not interchangeable,” explains GovRAMP. “Confusing them, or treating one as optional, leaves citizens exposed.” Privacy vs. Security: Why the Difference Matters for Trust in Government, published September 2, says privacy relates to control and security about protection. Privacy, for example, establishes boundaries on what to share; weak privacy systems lead to collecting or exposing data that feels “intrusive or unfair.” GovRAMP deems both essential for government, arguing that protection and trust require both.
New Nebraska medical cannabis regs advance to final approval, draw public ire
The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved stricter regulations, raising concerns among some advocates.
CLEAR podcast: Telling Our Story – From First Conference to Lasting Impact
“Telling Our Story – From First Conference to Lasting Impact” from Regulation Matters: a CLEAR Conversation, features CLEAR board members sharing personal experiences from their initial involvement with the organization to their ongoing contributions in regulatory work.
Arkansas cancels child welfare IT upgrade after two years, $12M
According to documents recently obtained by the Arkansas Advocate, Arkansas discontinued a multimillion-dollar initiative to modernize its aging child welfare system after investing more than $12 million over two years of development.
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.
