Homeland Security & Cybersecurity

Governors play a critical role in homeland security and are responsible for protecting people, property, and businesses within their respective states and territories. Governors are confronted with a range of events—from natural and man-made disasters, disease outbreaks, acts of terrorism, along with the significant and continued growth of cyber-attacks against the United States.

To support Governors’ priorities, the Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Program provides technical assistance to Governors and their staffs on a range of national security policy issues, including cybersecurity policies and practices, targeted violence and terrorism prevention, energy assurance, public health emergency preparedness, and emergency management, including disaster response, recovery and resilience.

The Governor’s Guide To Public Health Preparedness

This guide serves as a primer on public health preparedness, detailing current strategies, available resources and existing partnerships that may help policymakers bridge the gap between the disciplines of public safety and public health. By doing so, governors can develop a stronger cooperative network for emergency response and provide their states with a safe and healthy future.


Governor’s Roadmap to Preventing Targeted Violence

This roadmap distills the latest research and draws from elements of public-health interventions to provide guidance to governors, state and local leaders, and other stakeholders on how to prevent ideologically inspired violence—whether political, gender-based, or religious. By taking a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to preventing such violence, states can build safer and more resilient communities.


Governor’s Guide To Homeland Security

This guide covers fundamentals in homeland security best practices ranging from emergency management, fusion centers, grant management, the national guard, emergency declarations, critical infrastructure and other areas of homeland security that a governor and their policy staff would need awareness on.

Focus Areas

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Cybersecurity
  • Disaster Response, Recovery and Resilience
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Energy Security
  • Homeland Security
  • Nation-State Threats
  • National Guard
  • Preventing Targeted Violence
  • Public Health Emergency Preparedness
  • School Safety  

Meet the Team

  • Jessica Davenport, Program Director
  • Phil Nichols, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Michelle Blakeslee, Policy Analyst
  • Aisley Wallace Harper, Policy Coordinator

Contact the Team

  • Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council

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  • Resource Center for State Cybersecurity

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  • Technical Assistance

    We provide complimentary consultation to states as they design and implement new programs and policies.

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  • Public Safety & Legal Counsels Program

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  • Defense/National Guard Resources

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  • Resilience Resources

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NGA Resources

Governors Urge Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

Governors Urge Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement urging the immediate passage of FY25 National Defense Authorization Act ...
Nation’s Governors Implement Policies to Support Veterans

Nation’s Governors Implement Policies to Support Veterans

As the country celebrates Veterans Day, the nation’s Governors will mark the occasion by issuing proclamations and holding ceremonies to recognize the military service of America’s veterans. During 2024, Governors ...
Federal, State and Local Coordination is Essential to Cybersecurity

Federal, State and Local Coordination is Essential to Cybersecurity

Enhancing cybersecurity comes down to three keys: public, people, and partnerships. That’s the message White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. delivered to NGA’s Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network, which ...
Governors Urge Support of Wilson Amendment Protecting National Guard Authority

Governors Urge Support of Wilson Amendment Protecting National Guard Authority

Over 100 Members of Congress Sign on to Letter Rejecting LP480 Washington, D.C. – The National Governors Association (NGA) Executive Committee released a statement following a letter sent by over ...
Announcing the Public Health Emergency Playbook

Announcing the Public Health Emergency Playbook

The National Governors Association (NGA) hosted a webinar to announce the release of the Governors Public Health Emergency Playbook, the cumulation of a yearlong effort to capture and share best ...
2024 Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network In-Person Convening

2024 Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network In-Person Convening

The 2024 Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network In-Person Convening was held on September 18-19th at Google’s offices in Washington, DC. Hosted by the National Governors Association (NGA), the event convened the ...
Federal Agency Representatives Join 2024 NGA Summer Meeting

Federal Agency Representatives Join 2024 NGA Summer Meeting

At the 2024 NGA Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, representatives from multiple federal agencies held meetings with Governors’ staff members to focus on coordination between state and federal ...
Public Health Emergency Playbook

Public Health Emergency Playbook

(Download) The Public Health Emergency Playbook is a guide designed for Governors and their staff, offering a comprehensive resource to effectively prepare for, manage, and recover from health crises across ...
Energy Cyber Workforce Policy Brief

Energy Cyber Workforce Policy Brief

Governors play a critical role in creating pathways for cybersecurity professionals, through workforce development programs, reskilling efforts, public outreach, and raising awareness of cybersecurity job opportunities in the energy sector ...