Information technology (IT) groups representing dozens of industry heavyweights are lobbying Congress to include more funding to update systems and fortify cybersecurity in the next coronavirus (Covid-19) stimulus package.The cybersecurity push comes as Congress and the Trump administration also seek to replenish the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) for small businesses sometime this week.Ahead of those PPP efforts, six leading IT and Internet associations last week presented a letter to congressional leaders strongly urging members to allocate money to protect critical infrastructure nationwide and meet the Covid-19 national emergency.The proponents include The Alliance for Digital Innovation (ADI), Center for Procurement Advocacy (CPA), CompTIA, Cybersecurity Coalition Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and the Internet Association. Amazon, AT&T, Cisco, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Salesforce, Twitter and a host of cybersecurity providers support the various associations. A separate but related effort involving ConnectWise and its channel partners also is under way.The federal government’s initial stimulus package, signed into law in March, allocated some $9 million to supplement the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Funding was also included to update IT systems for government agencies. The backing, however, isn’t enough to offset the crush of online phishing attacks and offensives directed at the flood of teleworkers and employers relying on remote access security since the Covid-19 pandemic, the computer associations said.“Despite significant support in recent years, including funding for agency telework and remote operations in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the current national emergency continues to highlight the need for additional IT investments to ensure our nation is able to effectively respond to this crisis,” the groups wrote.“Congress has already made it clear that improving our digital infrastructure is a critical priority for America, and we urge you to ensure funding of the appropriate size and scope to address these obvious needs is included in any subsequent relief package,” the association letter said.
What Cybersecurity Advocates Want
The group recommended that a second wave of IT and cybersecurity relief include:- Adequate funds to modernize IT systems used by agencies working on the front lines of this pandemic and future emergency responses. Such funding should be made available for expenditure over multiple years.
- Establish and fund a mechanism that provides federal financial support to state and local government agencies in need of IT modernization and upgrades that, in turn, will enhance the speed and effect of relief efforts for citizens, business, hospitals, and organizations in direct need during the COVID-19 and subsequent emergencies.
- Support for the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) at an appropriations level that would allow for meaningful investment in cross-agency IT modernization initiatives.
- Ensure that IT modernization efforts include focused attention and investment on strengthening cybersecurity, workforce training, and process transformation.
