Government and public agencies

Cybersecurity for local government and public agencies

Cities, counties, water districts and special districts deliver services residents can’t do without. We assess where your agency stands, test your defenses and help you make improvements that fit public budgets and purchasing rules.

Talk to an expert See NIST CSF assessments
  • California JPIA’s cybersecurity assessment provider
  • Assessments for 30+ California cities and municipalities
  • Patient with public purchasing and board approvals
Government building at sunset

California JPIA partnership

The cybersecurity assessment provider for California JPIA members

In 2024 the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority selected Triden Group as its cybersecurity assessment provider. Through that partnership we have completed cybersecurity assessments for more than 30 California cities and municipalities.

California JPIA members can access cybersecurity maturity assessments and internal and external vulnerability scans. Members can also engage us for additional work through a master services agreement, which gives agencies an established contract to work under.

  • Cybersecurity maturity assessments
  • Internal and external vulnerability scans
  • Penetration testing
  • Repeat cyber assessments to measure progress
  • Incident response tabletop exercises
  • Implementation of cybersecurity improvements
City skyline with a network overlay
Consultants reviewing plans with a client on site

The challenge

Why public agencies are a target

Local governments hold resident data, run utilities and emergency services, and often operate with small IT teams and aging systems. Attackers know that disruption to public services creates pressure to pay, and that many agencies share the same software and vendors.

Agencies also work under constraints private companies don’t. Budgets follow fiscal years, purchases need board or council approval, and changes to operational technology at a water or wastewater plant require careful planning. A good partner works within those rules.

  • Small IT teams covering many departments
  • Legacy systems and shared regional software
  • Operational technology at utilities and facilities
  • Phishing aimed at finance and payroll staff
  • Procurement timelines that span fiscal years

How we help

Public agency cybersecurity services

Most agencies start with an assessment, then use the findings to plan testing, training and improvements over one or more budget cycles.

NIST CSF maturity assessment

A public agency cybersecurity assessment scored against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, with findings ranked for leadership and council.

NIST CSF

Vulnerability scanning and management

Internal and external scans that find exposed and unpatched systems, with managed follow-up if you want it.

Vulnerability management

Penetration testing

Human-led testing of networks, web applications, wireless and staff by certified ethical hackers.

Penetration testing

Incident response tabletop exercises

A scenario built for your agency, run with IT staff, department heads and executives, with a summary for leadership.

Tabletop exercises

vCISO for public agencies

Security leadership that turns assessment findings into a multi-year plan and reports progress to your council or board.

vCISO services

24/7 managed detection and response

Around-the-clock monitoring and containment across endpoints, network, cloud and identity.

Explore MDR

Frameworks

Frameworks and requirements we help agencies with

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework maturity assessments
  • Repeat assessments to show year-over-year progress
  • Incident response planning and tabletop exercises
  • Vulnerability management and remediation tracking
  • PCI DSS for utility and permit payments
  • Vendor and third-party risk reviews
  • Policy and procedure development
  • Security awareness and phishing testing

What clients say

A partner that works at a public agency’s pace

“Triden Group’s level of patience is noteworthy, especially when working with a public agency. We tend to move toward purchases much slower due to strict purchasing procedures. Triden Group feels like a true partner in achieving our security goals.”

IT Director, water district

FAQ

Local government cybersecurity questions

It is a structured review of your agency’s security controls, policies and technology, usually scored against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. You get a maturity score, a list of gaps and a prioritized plan you can take to leadership and budget for.

California JPIA members can access cybersecurity maturity assessments and vulnerability scans through the JPIA partnership. For penetration testing, repeat assessments, tabletop exercises and improvements, members can engage us through the master services agreement. Contact your JPIA representative or reach out to us to get started.

Yes. We’re used to RFPs, board and council approvals, and budgets that follow the fiscal year. We can phase work across budget cycles and provide the documentation your purchasing team needs.

Yes. We work with cities, municipalities, water districts and other special districts. For utilities, we plan any testing that touches operational systems carefully with your operations team.

The number of sites, users and systems in scope, whether you add penetration testing or a tabletop exercise, and whether you want help with the improvements. We scope the work and quote a fixed price, and JPIA members may have access through the partnership.

No. Our CJPIA work is in California, but we serve public agencies and other organizations across the US from our San Diego headquarters.

Related services

Related services

NIST CSF maturity assessment

Benchmark your agency and plan improvements.

NIST CSF

Tabletop exercises

Rehearse a ransomware scenario with department heads.

Tabletop exercises

Education

Security for school districts and community colleges.

Education

Southern California

Our work with cities and organizations across the region.

Southern California

Talk to an expert

Plan your agency’s next cybersecurity step

Tell us about your agency, your timeline and your purchasing process, and an advisor will reply by email to set up a conversation.

  • A starting point that fits your budget cycle
  • Experience assessing 30+ California cities

Prefer email? Write to [email protected] or call (858) 712-0040.

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