Office of Cybersecurity (OCS) Overview — WaTech, Securing the State Government Network (SGN)

Summary

An overview of the WaTech Office of Cybersecurity (OCS), dated 1/13/2023. It states that the office's primary responsibility is to secure the State Government Network (SGN) against cybersecurity threats, through enterprise-level functions such as threat intelligence, threat hunting, endpoint security and incident management. The overview states that the Legislature passed SB 5432 during the 2021 legislative session, which established OCS in statute. It says OCS partners with the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), and that WaTech is the lead agency for developing the state's Whole of State Cybersecurity Plan.

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                                                                                                     watech.wa.gov



Office of Cybersecurity (OCS) Overview
Securing the State Government Network (SGN) against cyber threats.
WaTech’s Office of Cybersecurity’s primary responsibility is to secure the SGN against cybersecurity threats.
This includes critical functions provided at an enterprise level to state agencies such as threat intelligence, threat
hunting, endpoint security, security incident management, vulnerability management, security information and
events management, risk and compliance management and data security. In addition, OCS coordinates with
agencies on best practices and leads multi-agency governance workgroups to improve the state’s overall
security posture. The governance groups provide collaborative enterprise security solutions for the state and
provide standards and processes for implementing solutions. OCS also partners with the federal government –
including the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and
Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) – to monitor emerging cybersecurity threats and foster information sharing.

Coordinating a whole of government approach to cybersecurity.
During the 2021 legislative session, the Legislature passed SB 5432, which established OCS in statute and
outlined its roles and responsibilities. The Legislature directed OCS to ensure a “whole of government approach”
to cybersecurity (RCW 43.105.450(3)(f)) and “to serve as a resource for local governments in the area of
cybersecurity” (RCW 43.105.450(3)(g)). WaTech conducts outreach to local governments about state IT policies
and solicits feedback on proposed changes. In addition, WaTech is leveraging the Legislature’s investment in
matching funds for a federal program to help local government’s cybersecurity posture. WaTech is the lead
agency for developing the state’s Whole of State Cybersecurity Plan for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (IIJA) which will be submitted later this year for approval to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security
Agency (CISA). Working in close collaboration with the Military Department’s Emergency Management Division,
and local governments, WaTech is in the process of setting priorities to better improve security across the entire
state.

Supporting emergency management and leading cybersecurity incident response.
WaTech is an important partner in the state’s emergency management efforts. The agency coordinates with the
Military Department and participates in its incident command operations for cybersecurity incidents. The state
CISO serves as the state’s point of contact for major cybersecurity incidents, as outlined in RCW 43.105.470.

Monitoring emerging trends and technology to support cyber resilience.
As the state’s lead agency on technology, WaTech monitors emerging technology to determine how it can be
used to improve the delivery of state services. Cybersecurity is no different. WaTech monitors industry
developments and emerging technology, and continuously looks for ways to incorporate modern technology into
our security environment. WaTech works with state agencies and its federal partners to stay up to date on
emerging technology to best equip the state.




1 | OCS Overview 1/13/2023


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