On Monday, February 2, 2026, it was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul that $9 million from the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program will become available to support the delivery of Multi-Factor Authentication hard tokens to 161 counties, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities throughout New York State.
How Does This Benefit Entities In New York State?
According to the announcement, to make it more difficult for cyberattackers to gain access to private accounts, Multi-Factor Authentication requires two or more forms of proof of identity.
ITS will be administering the program that was coordinated by the State Office of Information Technology Services, the New York State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Planning Committee, and the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
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Cyber threats are everywhere, and with the important role technology plays in our day-to-day lives, it is crucial that organizations have the resources they need to keep themselves safe. These tokens will go a long way in supporting our partners and making our state safer overall. We will not wait for an attack to expose vulnerabilities. We are acting now to strengthen our defenses across the state.” – New York State Governor Kathy Hochul
Local Entities Benefiting From The Grant Program
Several Southern and Central New York entities will benefit from this grant program:
Broome County – The Town of Dickinson
Tioga County – The Candor Central District and Tioga County Government
Chemung County – The Town of Horseheads
Tompkins County – Ithaca City School District, Lansing School District, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES, and the Town of Ithaca
Governor Hochul is making it clear: cybersecurity is a top priority for every level of government in New York. By delivering these MFA tokens, we are providing 161 local partners with a proven, physical layer of security that stops unauthorized access in its tracks. This is a practical, high-impact investment that protects our essential services and strengthens the entire state’s digital footprint. – New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern
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