South Dakota's $7M push to modernize cybersecurity for local governments advancing
Attorney General working with Dakota State University, taps longtime state project manager
The man who will guide South Dakota’s local governments into a future with uniform cyber standards has been chosen.
Amid stories of townships, cities, and counties using commercial emails to conduct official government business — coupled with an uptick in cybersecurity attacks hitting every industry globally — state lawmakers earlier this year set aside $7 million to make municipalities and counties less susceptible to hackers.
And on Monday, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley’s office announced longtime state employee Mike Waldner will serve as director of the newly created Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program.
“Cybersecurity is vital for the safety and security of our communities,” said Jackley, who earlier this year tapped Dakota State University to help implement cybersecurity updates for counties and cities participating in the program. “We look forward to working with DSU and Mike Waldner to ensure that every municipality in our state has the resources it needs to defend against cyber threats.”
Waldner has held leadership roles in various state departments that have undergone major technological evolutions. The Madison man’s résumé includes work on the installation of the state’s first internet connection, the creation of the state’s internet presence, the K-12 Data Center Project, the state’s FirstNet law enforcement network, and the ConnectSD broadband initiative.
He started his new position this week.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this initiative that will have a real impact on the security of South Dakota’s communities. I am honored to lead this effort and look forward to working with partners across the state to strengthen our cybersecurity posture,” Waldner said.
The establishment of the Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program comes as municipalities nationwide are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks, and South Dakota’s communities are not immune to this trend.
In 2023, the Center for Internet Security reported a 51 percent increase in ransomware incidents targeting state and local governments.
While governments in more populated cities and counties typically have protocols and cybersecurity education standards, that’s not always the case for governments in sparsely populated areas of South Dakota.
The Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program will be overseen by a board that includes law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and local and state officials. The board will play a role in granting and administering funds to municipalities in need of secure email solutions, technical support, risk assessments, and specialized training to strengthen local governments’ defenses against cyber threats, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
DSU will have two members on the board.
“Dakota State University is at the forefront of cybersecurity education and research, and this grant program exemplifies our commitment to serving South Dakota,” President José-Marie Griffiths said.
