Minnesota IT Chief Warns of Cyber Threats Amid Federal Funding Freeze
Minnesota IT Chief Tarek Tomes warns that suspending federal cybersecurity funding could leave state agencies at risk of cyber-attacks, amid rising concerns over a sharp increase in malware incidents.
Published on April 3, 2025
Minnesota’s top IT official, Tarek Tomes, has warned that suspending or canceling federal cybersecurity funding could leave counties, schools, and cities vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The $10.8 million program, designed to protect 55,000 devices across 200 state agencies, is seen as a critical safeguard—a digital 'lock on the door' for sensitive data. These funds are part of about two dozen federal programs currently paused by the administration, with concerns mounting over potential changes, including the elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In related news, following the implementation of a new mandatory cybersecurity incident reporting law in December 2024, Minnesota experienced a dramatic 1,500 percent surge in reported malware incidents. While no immediate impacts have been reported, these developments underscore the growing threat landscape in the state, prompting MNIT to closely monitor the situation as cyber threats escalate.