County applies for cybersecurity program

The Seneca County Commissioner's Office has applied for a cybersecurity program offered by the Ohio Governor's office. "The new Ohio Persistent Cyber Improvement (O-PCI) program will guide local agencies through three cybersecurity preparedness levels," read a press release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office. "Each level will consist of a five-step process for cybersecurity advancement: education, training, exercising, mentoring and improvement." Education and training will be carried out by The Ohio Cyber Range Institute and the Ohio Cyber Reserve. The groups will also conduct National Institute of Standards and Technology assessments and inventories, tabletop exercises, after action reviews and provide mentorship and guidance for local governments, according to the press release. The services are provided free of charge to local governments. "This program will positively benefit our rural county in many ways, including by extending the impact of limited grant funding that is available to support the cybersecurity needs of our community," reads a letter of interest submitted by the commissioner's office. "We in Seneca County recognize the immense importance of improving cybersecurity capabilities, and we look forward to participating in this statewide initiative. "We are excited to join the O-PCI program and appreciate the opportunities it brings to our local government here in Seneca County," said Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart. "By participating in this program, we can proactively strengthen our cybersecurity measures, ultimately reducing liability and insurance costs for our taxpayers. Preventing a cyber-attack not only safeguards sensitive data and critical infrastructure but also prevents potentially devastating financial consequences. We commend Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted for their dedication to enhancing cybersecurity across Ohio and prioritizing the financial well-being of our communities."