$250,000 Cybersecurity Grant Awarded to Rancho Water by Rancho Water Jan 9, 2025 Member Submitted News Rancho Water is proud to announce it has been awarded a $250,000 grant through the 2024 State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This critical funding will enable Rancho Water to enhance the security and resilience of its cybersecurity infrastructure, ensuring the continued protection of essential services provided to the community. Rancho Water is one of just over 100 statewide recipients of this grant funding which was open to a wide range of entities such as water districts, community services districts, cities, tribes, and schools. The grant will support a variety of essential cybersecurity initiatives at the District. These include replacing older firewalls and installing industrial-grade security devices for data acquisition systems, deploying encrypted Ethernet radios to secure critical communications, and developing and implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity policy. Additionally, the funding will provide certification training for key staff, conduct vulnerability scans and penetration testing, and integrate advanced threat monitoring to improve incident detection and response. “Cybersecurity is vital to the integrity of our operations and the safety of the services we provide,” said Brian Brady, Board President of Rancho Water. “By receiving the maximum amount of $250,000 for this grant, Rancho Water will be able to make significant advancements in our cybersecurity measures without placing an additional financial burden on our ratepayers.” The purpose of the Cal OES State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program is to assist state agencies and local entities in addressing cybersecurity risks, improving the security of critical infrastructure, and building resilience against evolving cyber threats. SLCGP is part of a larger federal grant program which is jointly administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The federal program will appropriate $1 billion nationwide over the course of four years. This $250,000 grant represents significant growth in Rancho Water’s continued ability to deliver safe, reliable, and resilient water services to its community. By strengthening its cybersecurity infrastructure, Rancho Water is better positioned to safeguard its operations against emerging threats. Click here for more information about the SLCGP and a complete list of 2024 SLCGP Awarded Entities.
