New York Officials Warn Trump's Cybersecurity Cuts Threaten US Defense
New York’s Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern and Governor Kathy Hochul are sounding the alarm on the Trump administration’s sweeping cybersecurity cuts. With more than $1.2 billion slashed from federal cyber initiatives, states face funding gaps for critical infrastructure protection. New York is responding by strengthening regulations, launching new training mandates, and seeking urgent grant funding.
In the wake of the Trump administration’s first budget, cybersecurity experts are raising red flags over steep federal cuts that could leave critical infrastructure and public services vulnerable to attack. New York’s Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern and Governor Kathy Hochul warn these reductions risk national security.
Federal Cuts and Rising Concerns
Since taking office, the administration has trimmed over $1.2 billion from cybersecurity across federal agencies, including a $135 million cut to CISA’s budget. Over a hundred CISA staff were let go, prompting emergency court recalls for some positions. Meanwhile, $1 billion was earmarked for offensive overseas cyber operations.
Ahern told TechCrunch, “We need and want the federal government to be effective. It’s no secret that we are concerned about many of the things we’re seeing with the rescissions in the ‘Big Ugly Bill.’”
State-Level Action in New York
With federal support waning, New York is doubling down on local resilience. Governor Hochul wrote to DHS seeking immediate disbursement of Homeland Security Grant Program funds to secure transportation hubs, power grids, water systems, and communication networks.
New state laws now require:
- Mandatory cybersecurity awareness training for all government computer users
- Incident reporting within 72 hours, and ransomware payment disclosures within 24 hours
Hochul also proposed grants to help water and wastewater authorities upgrade to meet upcoming regulatory requirements. A new NYC office will recruit displaced federal cyber professionals to reinforce state defenses, summed up by Ahern’s quip: “DOGE says you’re fired. New York says you’re hired.”
Building a Collaborative Defense
As federal and state roles evolve, collaboration is key. Agencies at every level must share threat intelligence, pool resources, and train personnel to deter adversaries effectively.
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