During the first few months of the new Trump administration, the White House slashed cybersecurity budgets, staff, and initiatives. Cybersecurity experts and legislators have expressed dissatisfaction with these cuts. Among them is Colin Ahern, the chief cyber officer for the state of New York. In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Ahern stated that both he and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are concerned that the Trump administration’s reductions in cybersecurity funding are putting the country at risk.
Ahern emphasized the importance of federal collaboration, saying, “We work with the federal government day in and day out. We need and want the federal government to be effective.” He also voiced concerns about the administration’s budget decisions, referencing the “Big Ugly Bill” and recent rescissions that passed in early July.
The Trump administration’s cybersecurity cuts have been extensive. Since taking office, over a hundred employees at CISA were fired, some of whom were later reinstated following a court ruling that deemed the layoffs unlawful. The administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act reduced cybersecurity spending across federal agencies by more than $1.2 billion, including a $135 million cut to CISA’s budget. At the same time, the administration allocated $1 billion over the next four years for offensive cyber operations overseas.
Additionally, the White House’s nominee for national cyber director faced criticism for lacking prior experience in the field. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Education suspended a cybersecurity support initiative for K-12 schools.
Ahern stressed the need for a strong federal cybersecurity posture, stating, “Everybody wants a federal government that has significant capabilities to deter our adversaries and is resilient against cyberattacks. Like we’ve said publicly, we do think that what’s happening in Washington is putting those things at risk.”
While the federal government bears much of the responsibility for national cybersecurity, states also play a crucial role in securing their own networks, public institutions, and critical infrastructure. However, some of this funding originates from Washington. Earlier this month, Governor Hochul wrote to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, requesting funds under the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), which supports state and local security efforts. Hochul highlighted the importance of HSGP funding for protecting critical infrastructure such as transportation hubs, power grids, and water systems.
Despite federal challenges, Ahern noted that New York is not standing still. The state continues to invest in cybersecurity, building relationships across state and party lines, and collaborating with local governments to ensure safety and resilience.
Governor Hochul has been proactive in strengthening cybersecurity measures. Last month, she signed legislation requiring cybersecurity awareness training for state and local government employees working with computers. The law also mandates that cyberattacks be reported to the state’s homeland security office within 72 hours, with ransomware payments disclosed within 24 hours.
Recently, Hochul proposed new legislation to establish a grant program for water and wastewater organizations, helping them comply with upcoming cybersecurity regulations. Additionally, the state government is opening a new office in New York City, staffed with technologists, including cybersecurity personnel. Ahern expressed hope to hire individuals affected by the Trump administration’s layoffs, referencing the state’s hiring campaign slogan: “DOGE says you’re fired. New York says you’re hired.”