The National Governors Association endorsed measures in an upcoming defense spending package that would grow the National Guard’s role in responding to cyberattacks, including making it easier for individual units to respond to incidents across state lines. National Guards in all 50 states have at least one unit dedicated to cybersecurity, assisting their states with duties including responding to ransomware attacks and protecting election infrastructure.
- One proposal, in both chambers’ versions of the NDAA, would develop guidance on how National Guard units should collaborate with civilian agencies, such as the FBI, CISA, information-sharing groups, and state-run fusion centers.
- The second proposal, only in the Senate draft, would broaden the scope of individual Guard cyber units by authorizing pilot programs in which Guard units from one state could offer remote assistance to the government or Guard of another state.
