What is Whole-of-State Cyber (WOS)?

Whole-of-State (WOS) Cybersecurity is a collaborative approach to cybersecurity that involves state governments providing coordinated support and resources to local governments, counties, municipalities, and other public agencies to improve their cyber defenses. The idea is to create a unified, state-wide strategy for protecting critical infrastructure, public services, and sensitive information from cyber threats. This approach acknowledges that smaller local governments, often with limited resources and IT capabilities, may struggle to defend against sophisticated cyberattacks on their own. By working together, state and local governments can enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.

The WOS model includes various forms of assistance, such as funding, training, security conferences, and joint contracting for cybersecurity tools. Federal grants, like the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), provide significant financial backing, allowing states to distribute resources to smaller agencies. The WOS approach often features shared services such as endpoint detection, threat intelligence analysis, and other advanced cybersecurity tools, which might otherwise be too costly for small municipalities to implement independently.

Ultimately, Whole-of-State Cybersecurity is about breaking down silos between state and local governments, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that even the smallest agencies have access to the knowledge, tools, and support necessary to defend against cyber threats. By pooling resources and expertise, WOS helps create a more resilient and secure digital infrastructure across the entire state.