NGA Convenes Governors’ Cybersecurity Advisors Annual Institute to Shape Cyber Defense and Promote Cyber Workforce Development in States

ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Governors Association (NGA) this week hosted its 2026 Governors' Cybersecurity Advisors Annual Institute. Governors' advisors from more than 40 states and territories met with federal officials and private sector experts. Participants worked through the policy questions defining state cybersecurity today, including the use of artificial intelligence, and discussed ongoing states' focus on educating and training tomorrow's cyber workforce.

"Governors are on the frontlines of defending the systems we rely on every day," said NGA CEO Brandon Tatum. "They work across levels of government and alongside the private sector to ensure the safety of the water Americans drink, the power that lights our homes, and the networks that keep classrooms open and hospitals running. Cyber threats don't stop at state lines or sector boundaries, and neither can our defenses. NGA brings governors' teams together with federal and industry partners so states can move faster, share what actually works and build resilience that holds up when an incident hits."

"I began my career as a federal law enforcement officer and then a CIA case officer. As governor, public safety is a fundamental responsibility of my administration - and it means being prepared before, during, and after a crisis across the state and federal governments, and the public and private sectors," said Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who addressed the gathering. "That's why I established Virginia's Unified Readiness Framework, which brings together state government, local first responders, the private sector, nonprofits and critical infrastructure partners to break down operational silos and make sure Virginians have the relationships, information, and resources they need before an incident occurs."

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Acting Director Nick Andersen joined state leaders for a discussion of federal priorities and opportunities for state-federal collaboration, continuing NGA's ongoing engagement with CISA on behalf of governors' offices.

"State and territory leaders play a crucial role in safeguarding cybersecurity within their communities," said CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen. "By working together, we are elevating the nation's cybersecurity and ensuring a united front. The threats we face are relentless and often embedded in critical infrastructure, so building lasting resilience is the most important goal."

During the two-day event, state officials and private sector partners shared the threats they are seeing across their networks, including ransomware against target-rich, resource-poor institutions and nation-state pre-positioning in critical infrastructure. Participants examined how states are improving coordination, finding innovative ways to harden systems against threats, and working with force multipliers such as their state National Guard and civilian cyber corps.

"If you've seen one state cyber office, you've seen one state cyber office - and that variety is a strength because governors are building approaches that fit their states," said NGA Chief Policy Officer Timothy Blute. "What every state shares is the need for talent, for coordination across sectors and for a common operating picture. This institute is where those lessons get exchanged, and where state leaders can raise real operational challenges directly with the federal partners in a position to act on them."

NGA maintains the Governors' Cybersecurity Advisors Network as a forum for governors' advisors, state chief information security officers and other officials designated by governors' offices to share ideas, troubleshoot challenges with peers in other states, access resources, and hear from subject-matter experts through periodic calls, webinars, and workshops. NGA also convenes the Governors' Homeland Security Advisors Council, a network of governor-appointed leaders who oversee and advise governors on a range of homeland security policy areas within the state. The two groups both met this week, allowing for joint discussions focused on enhanced cyber resiliency and response to threats.

NGA also supports governors' cybersecurity priorities by working with other state and local government associations in pursuit of policies to help states expand whole-of-state approaches, assess local vulnerabilities and modernize technology systems across the country.

Governors have advanced a variety of actions to enhance cybersecurity, including establishment of centralized cybersecurity offices and statewide strategies, innovative cybersecurity regulations and initiatives, and statewide cyber training platforms for K-12 students.

Check out these resources to learn more about NGA's work supporting governors' cybersecurity priorities:

• Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network
• 2025 Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network Institute
• 2024 Cybersecurity Policy Advisors Network In-Person Convening
• Federal, State and Local Coordination is Essential to Cybersecurity
• Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council
• NGA Joins State and Local Government Leaders, Urges Congress to Preserve State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program