Congress faces a looming deadline to renew the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), a federal initiative that helps states and municipalities defend against cyberattacks. In this episode, Frank Cilluffo speaks with New Jersey CISO Michael Geraghty and Arizona CISO Ryan Murray about how these grants are making a measurable difference on the ground. They detail how investments are protecting communities from ransomware, building out shared services, and training the next generation of cyber talent. The conversation underscores the urgency of continued funding to sustain trust, prevent losses, and strengthen the interconnected fabric of U.S. cyber defense.

Main Topics Covered

• Explain why renewing the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is urgent.
• Show how federal grants reduce ransomware risk and generate measurable ROI.
• Use Arizona’s student-led SOCs to highlight workforce development and shared services.
• Describe New Jersey’s statewide approach to defending municipalities.
• Weigh the stakes of eroding trust and services if funding lapses.
• Explore the broader “one team, one fight” vision linking local, state, and federal defense.

Key Quotes:

“In the last year, that [endpoint detection] program stopped 179 ransomware attacks…for a $5 million investment, potential loss avoidance is about $45 million.” - Michael Geraghty

“We're using some of those funds to hire interns as part of our workforce development effort. So we're deploying student-led regional security operations centers in partnership with our community colleges across the entire state [of Arizona].” – Ryan Murray

“We’re all interconnected, right. Our cities connect to our county governments, connect to our state governments, and we connect to our federal partners. But unfortunately, our defenses have these seams, they have these gaps where we’re not so integrated in our defenses and our information sharing.” – Ryan Murray

“There is no one organization that is going to be able to defend themselves against nation state actors, cyber terrorist organizations, transnational criminal groups, and even the hacktivists or low level hackers. But when we team up together through a strategy that again maximizes our resources, that’s when we become that much stronger.” - Michael Geraghty

“One team, one fight, easier said than done. I think we all know that, but it’s challenging.”  – Frank Cilluffo

Relevant Links and Resources

• CISA SLCGP Fact Sheet
• NJCCIC (New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell)
• Arizona Department of Homeland Security – Cyber readiness resources

Guest Bios:

Ryan Murray serves as Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Arizona. He previously served as CISO for the Arizona Department of Revenue and has nearly 20 years of IT and security experience.

Michael Geraghty is New Jersey’s State Chief Information Security Officer and Director of the NJ Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). He has held senior cybersecurity roles in both the public and private sectors, including the New Jersey State Police and Prudential Financial