Indiana has created a new Office of Cybersecurity within the state’s Department of Homeland Security, giving it a dedicated entity to coordinate cyber preparedness across its government.
Gov. Mike Braun signed Executive Order 26-19 in July, which creates the office and advances a whole-of-state strategy for cybersecurity preparedness and response. This move builds on previous initiatives, and it also follows the sunsetting of the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity, which helped shape the state’s cybersecurity strategy through years of recommendations and planning.
The new Office of Cybersecurity is charged with developing and implementing statewide cybersecurity strategy, coordinating cyber preparedness and incident response, and strengthening resilience. It is also tasked with collaborating across state and local government, critical infrastructure and private-sector partners, according to the order. The office will also oversee implementation of the state’s cybersecurity strategic plan and serve as the primary coordinator for cyber policy across state government.
Under the executive order, the office will coordinate with the Indiana Office of Technology, Indiana State Police, the Indiana National Guard and other public- and private-sector partners as the state continues to develop its whole-of-state cybersecurity strategy.
The move is the latest in a series of cyber-related initiatives, including legislation to create the Indiana Civilian Cyber Corps. The corps is a volunteer organization administered by the Indiana National Guard, and it is intended to expand cybersecurity awareness, capacity and rapid response. The state also has invested in cybersecurity services for local governments and other statewide cyber defense capabilities.
Indiana joins two other states that also have dedicated cybersecurity organizations within their homeland security agencies. Arizona’s Department of Homeland Security houses its Cyber Command, while New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness operates the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell.
The new office gives Indiana a similar organizational structure for coordinating cybersecurity policy, preparedness and response across state government.
