Idaho proposes $10M cybersecurity and IT‑resilience fund as ITS consolidates agency IT operations

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard from Legislative Services Office analyst Christopher LaHosa and Office of Information Technology Services Administrator Alberto Gonzales on an ITS budget package that includes a proposed $10 million general‑fund transfer to create a new cybersecurity and IT resilience fund, ongoing authority to spend those monies and personnel and equipment needed to complete the next phase of consolidation.

LaHosa told the committee the governor recommended a new continuous appropriation fund and a one‑time $10 million transfer to support enterprise security improvements, emergency connectivity services and infrastructure replacement items that individual agencies have not been able to budget. “The governor recommends the creation of a new cybersecurity and IT resilience fund,” LaHosa said, outlining a multi‑step plan for the fund and annual transfers tied to legislative authorization.

Administrator Alberto Gonzales described the threat environment and why a centralized fund and replacement plan are necessary. “Number 1 is the humans by far the biggest threat . . . People clicking on things they shouldn't be on,” Gonzales said, and then gave the…