Local governments and school districts across the Finger Lakes are getting new tools to protect against cyberattacks, as New York rolls out $9 million in federal cybersecurity funding.
The funding will deliver physical multi-factor authentication, or MFA, hard tokens to 161 government entities statewide. The devices add an extra layer of security beyond passwords, making it harder for hackers to access sensitive systems.
Who’s getting help locally
In Cayuga County, three entities will receive MFA hard tokens: Cayuga County itself, the Town of Scipio, and the Auburn Enlarged City School District. State officials say the goal is to better protect county services, town operations, and school data from cyber threats.
Seneca County will see two recipients. South Seneca Central School District and the Town of Romulus are both included in the statewide award list.
Wayne County’s award goes to the Newark Central School District, which will receive tokens to strengthen access controls for staff and systems.
In Yates County, the Village of Dundee is the sole local recipient.
The state’s award list does not include any recipients in Ontario or Schuyler counties.
Why the state is pushing MFA
Multi-factor authentication requires two or more proofs of identity, such as a password plus a physical token. State officials describe it as a basic but critical defense against ransomware and data breaches, which increasingly target local governments and schools.
The funding comes from the combined federal fiscal year 2022 and 2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. New York’s Office of Information Technology Services will administer the program, working with state homeland security and federal partners.
State leaders say the focus is on prevention, not response.
“Cyber threats are everywhere,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in announcing the awards, calling the tokens a way to strengthen defenses before an attack exposes weaknesses.
Small governments, big targets
State and county groups have warned that smaller municipalities and school districts often lack the resources to keep up with evolving cyber risks, even though they manage sensitive personal and financial data.
By distributing standardized MFA hardware, the state aims to raise the cybersecurity baseline for local governments, including rural and upstate communities.
The tokens will be deployed over the coming months as part of a broader effort to strengthen digital security across New York.
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