Cal OES Kicks Off Cybersecurity Awareness Month for October

Published:

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and each week we will show how California is marshalling a whole-of-government effort to confront cyber threats.

As California’s Homeland Security Agency, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) leads California’s efforts to prepare for and respond to destructive cyber-attacks. 

In an increasingly online world, protecting digital infrastructure is vital to the state’s ability to deliver essential services to Californians. From education to trade. And from communications to utilities.

Cal OES, through the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), works year-round to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity resiliency to reduce the likelihood and severity of cyber-attacks. 

The Cal-CSIC is made up of partners from four critical partner agencies who have a role in cyber security: Cal OES, the California Department of Technology, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Military Department.

Cal-CSIC coordinates closely with the California State Threat Assessment System and the U.S Department of Homeland Security to facilitate information sharing and communication with local, state, and federal agencies. As well as tribal governments, utilities and other service providers, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.

Cal-CSIC also serves as the state’s Cyber Incident Response Team which rapidly responds to developing cyberattacks in the public sector through detection, reporting, and response in coordination with public and private entities across the state.