NASCIO Releases 2019 Federal Advocacy Priorities: Continues Call for Harmonized Cyber Regulations

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has released its 2019 federal advocacy priorities. These priorities are:

1. Harmonize disparate federal cybersecurity regulations and normalize the audit process
2. Continue meaningful state CIO/CISO participation in FEMA’s Senior Advisory Committee and Urban Working Group
3. Recognize state authority and ongoing innovation with emerging technology

Regarding the first priority, state governments partner with the federal government to administer federal programs. Due to this partnership, state governments must exchange data with federal agencies, and therefore become subject to federal security regulations. Federal regulations often address the same issues, but differ in specific requirements. These disparate regulations pose an obstacle for state governments trying to consolidate and optimize. Additionally, states are audited for compliance and have on occasion received inconsistent findings from multiple federal auditors on the same IT environment. State CIOs are committed to work with federal regulating agencies and auditors to make for a more efficient use of resources and ensure standards are met.

The second priority addresses the relationship and participation of state technology leaders in FEMA’s Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) and Urban Area Working Group (UAWG). The responsibilities of SAC include integrating preparedness activities across disciplines, creating a cohesive planning network, and assisting in the preparation and revision of homeland security plans among others. The UAWG has similar responsibilities and is required to ensure that funding under the UASI program supports closing capability gaps identified through the threat and hazard identification process (e.g. THIRA). As state leaders and experts in technology, state CIOs can be called upon to secure state government against digital threats. As such, NASCIO will push for continued engagement of state IT leaders with these committees and work groups.

The third priority focuses on the ability of the states to embrace innovative and emerging technologies. New technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, all continue to appear on the state CIO agenda. States have long been recognized as engines of change.  The use of emerging technology within state government illustrates this fact, and provides an opportunity to refine the technology and open the door to move it to the public sector. It also would be premature to introduce a regulatory framework on new applications and technologies, which could stifle innovation and introduce other unintended consequences. As such, NASCIO will continue to advocate and embrace states’ abilities to serve as laboratories of innovation for emerging technologies in 2019.

Source: NASCIO