Each year at the Billington State and Local Cybersecurity Summit, one message comes through clearly: the cyber threat landscape facing state and local governments is accelerating faster than traditional models of defense can keep up.
Cyber risk is no longer confined to a single agency, system, or jurisdiction. It spans emergency management, education, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and the workforce itself. At the same time, public sector leaders are being asked to modernize services, adopt AI responsibly, and do more with constrained resources.
These pressures are not isolated—and neither can the response be.
That is why Microsoft is focused on a Next Gen Whole of State approach: a state-wide, coordinated model that brings together cyber defense, risk management, and workforce development into a unified strategy—designed for scale, resilience, and trust.
Why “Whole of State” Matters Now
Many states have invested significantly in cybersecurity over the past decade. Yet most efforts remain fragmented—with agencies operating independently, duplicating tools, and competing for scarce talent.
Internal Microsoft analysis and field experience show that this model creates three persistent challenges:
- Limited visibility across agencies and jurisdictions
- Inconsistent security posture and response capability
- Ongoing workforce shortages that slow modernization efforts
A Next Gen Whole of State program is designed to address these challenges holistically. It is a state-wide shared services model that improves efficiency, strengthens critical infrastructure defense, and accelerates AI and cyber talent development—while respecting the autonomy of individual agencies.
This is not about centralizing control. It is about coordinating outcomes.
Cybersecurity as Critical Infrastructure
At Billington, state and local leaders consistently emphasize that cybersecurity must be treated as critical infrastructure protection, not simply an IT function.
Next Gen Whole of State reflects that reality by enabling:
- Shared cyber services across agencies and local governments
- Proactive identification of vulnerabilities and “slow-burn” risks
- Streamlined collaboration during incident response and emergencies
By aligning technology platforms, processes, and partners, states can move toward a more collective defense posture—reducing duplication while improving resilience across the entire ecosystem.
This approach supports more consistent policy enforcement, better situational awareness, and more efficient use of limited funding—priorities that resonate strongly across the state and local community.
Workforce Development Is a Security Imperative
Another theme that consistently surfaces at Billington is the workforce challenge.
Technology alone does not secure a state. People do.
Next Gen Whole of State explicitly integrates workforce and economic development into the security strategy. Through hands-on skilling, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications, states can help build sustainable pipelines of AI and cyber talent using real-world platforms and tools.
This model supports:
- Career-ready training aligned to actual state and local needs
- Opportunities for students, veterans, and career changers
- Long-term reduction in dependency on external resources
By investing locally, states strengthen both their security posture and their communities—an outcome public sector leaders increasingly view as inseparable.
Microsoft’s Role: Thought Leadership at Scale
Microsoft’s contribution to Next Gen Whole of State is grounded in three principles reflected across our public sector work:
- Unified platforms that span identity, security, compliance, and AI
- Cross-sector collaboration, connecting government, education, and partners
- Responsible innovation, aligned with Zero Trust and secure-by-design practices
This enables states to move beyond isolated pilots toward enduring, state-wide programs—while positioning themselves to adapt as threats and technologies evolve.
Importantly, Whole of State also creates a framework for consistent executive engagement, allowing leaders to align strategy, funding, and outcomes around a shared vision.
Looking Ahead
The conversations happening at Billington reflect a broader shift underway across the public sector.
States that lead in the next decade will be those that:
- Treat cybersecurity as a shared responsibility
- Align technology, policy, and workforce strategy
- Build trust through resilience, transparency, and scale
Next Gen Whole of State is not a single product or program.
It is a strategic approach to how states protect critical infrastructure, modernize services, and prepare their workforce for an AI-driven future.
And it is increasingly clear that this approach is no longer optional—it is foundational.
Join the Conversation
Microsoft continues to work with state and local leaders, educators, and partners to advance Next Gen Whole of State initiatives across the country.
To learn more or engage with the Microsoft Security community, visit the Microsoft Tech Community and continue the conversation.
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