DHS Nominee Opposed Federal Cyber Spending as Governor

The new administration has proposed North Dakota's governor Kristi Noem as head of DHS, which includes oversight over federal cybersecurity measures.  As governor, Noem rejected federal cyber dollars, but she has allocated state dollars to cyber measures and touts the state as a potential cyber growth market.  

WHY IT MATTERS

In refusing  federal cyber dollars for her state, Noem's office described the proposed funding as “wasteful” federal spending that comes “with strings attached.”  She has, however, provided state government with millions of dollars to bolster cybersecurity, and promotes the fact that educational programs in-state provide education and training for cyber careers.  Her office says that scientific and technical careers have grown 25% in five years in the state.  

If confirmed at DHS, it would be Noem's job to oversee the distribution of federal cybersecurity dollars to the states.  Such money is requested by the White House and approved by Congress.  It is not clear how Noem's past preference for state-funded cyber efforts would translate to the national agency, where she would head up funding programs that her state declined.  Her presence at the agency does signal that changes may come, however, and that state agencies may need to adapt their approach to seeking or using federal dollars.  More will be known as and when Noem is confirmed in her post.