US states step up cyber defenses to protect local communities

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/05/25/cltc-building-community-cyber-defense-programs/

Publish Date: 2026-05-25 07:35:00

U.S. state governments are taking on a larger role in cybersecurity to help protect local communities and essential services. Many states are building state-led cyber defense programs, including cybersecurity clinics, regional security operations centers (RSOCs), and state cyber corps programs to reduce costs, strengthen the local workforce, and improve cyber resilience.

Cyber defense programs in the U.S. as of April 2026 (Source: UC Berkley, CLTC)

Some states are expanding shared services, centralized procurement, cyber risk pools, and threat intelligence-sharing networks to help public service organizations access cybersecurity support and strengthen statewide defenses.

“Cyber defense programs are a smart investment for states because they can save taxpayer dollars, develop the local workforce, and strengthen community cyber defense. Such programs can be a cost-efficient way to help defend ‘target-rich, resource-poor’ organizations that provide essential services to U.S. communities but lack the resources to protect themselves from cyberattacks by criminals and nation-states,” Grace Menna, Senior Fellow, Public Interest Cybersecurity, at UC Berkeley’s CLTC, said.

The guide presents a roadmap for states to strengthen cybersecurity through shared intelligence, tools, training, and procurement processes. It covers cybersecurity clinics, where college and university students gain hands-on experience by providing free cybersecurity support to community organizations.

The roadmap includes RSOCs, which use teams of cybersecurity professionals and students to detect and respond to security incidents within a region, and state cyber corps programs, where volunteer cybersecurity professionals provide preventive and incident response services under state government oversight.