The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) held their annual Washington D.C. Fly-In, and 40 state representatives called on Congress to strengthen national cyber security through state homeland security funding. Additional funding for Real ID was also on the agenda.Coverage of NASCIOs Washington DC Fly-in during the first week of May is available from their NASCIO Website. The site lists the key issues addressed, and highlights the importance of this seventh annual event. These fly-ins provide valuable opportunities for state CIOs to get face time with congressional and federal leaders, including Congress. This year’s focus was on cybersecurity planning and reforms in federal funding for state IT projects. The other big topic was funding for Real ID Thirty-five state CIOs and deputy state CIOs participated on May 2 in as many as 60 informal meetings held at various sites to discuss a variety of issues, including cyber security, enterprise architecture, health IT and the Real ID Act, said Doug Robinson, the group’s executive director. Washington Technology Magazine also did a piece which focused on the funding. Based on lessons learned from previous fly-ins, state CIOs typically focus their messages around s few core issues for maximum impact. The focus on cybersecurity comes at a time when the Department of Homeland Security DHS and many federal agencies are under fire from Congress for their own cybersecurity difficulties. Still, NASCIO is developing closer relations which DHS and getting more involved in several information sharing and other IT programs such as the IT Sector Plan within the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). Greg Garcia, Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Telecommunications, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), spoke at the NASCIO mid-year conference that followed the fly-in (near Dulles Airport), and collaboration between the states and DHS is as strong as ever. No doubt, there is much to do on both sides, but cooperation is more evident evident than before. NASCIO holds their 2007 Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona, from September 30 – October 3, 2007. Related content opinion 3 security career lessons from 'Back to the Future' You don't need to be able to predict the future to have a successful security career, but you had darned well better be able to learn from the past. By Dan Lohrmann Jan 12, 2021 6 mins Careers Security interview Secrets of industry-hopping CSOs Who says you can't change industries? Veteran security leaders Mark Weatherford and Cheri McGuire teach you how it’s done. By Dan Lohrmann Mar 02, 2020 12 mins Careers Security opinion Why security pros are addicted to FUD and what you can do about it Despite professing anti-FUD rhetoric, cyber experts fan the flames, breathlessly sharing the details of the latest data breaches. It's a risky addiction that can lead to security apathy in enterprises. Here's how to harness it. By Dan Lohrmann Sep 06, 2018 7 mins Security opinion Bridging the smart cities security divide There are plenty of organizations that seem to be working on answers to secure smart cities, but in many ways it's like the early days of cloud computing with everyone building their own solutions. By Dan Lohrmann Feb 01, 2018 6 mins Internet of Things Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe