Executive Summary

On February 17, 2026, the UC Berkeley Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) announced a significant new initiative to strengthen grassroots cybersecurity across the United States. The CLTC will partner with several states to co-host three regional Cyber Civil Defense Summits in 2026. These events are designed to foster collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders, including volunteer cybersecurity groups, local government officials, academic institutions, and emergency responders. The core mission is to develop and share effective, replicable strategies for protecting vulnerable and under-resourced community organizations such as schools, hospitals, and local critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. The initiative is a follow-up to the CLTC's 2025 'Roadmap to Community Cyber Defense' and represents a major push towards a whole-of-state approach to cyber resilience.

Program Overview

The Cyber Civil Defense initiative recognizes that while federal and corporate entities have significant cybersecurity resources, local community pillars are often left vulnerable. The regional summits aim to bridge this gap by:

• Fostering Collaboration: Bringing together disparate groups that all have a stake in local cyber defense, including the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) and Louisiana State University (LSU), who are co-hosting two of the summits.
• Showcasing Models: Highlighting successful models of public-private partnership and volunteer integration. For example, the NJCCIC has successfully integrated volunteers into its state-level operational framework to support local entities.
• Empowering Volunteers: Providing a platform for volunteer cyber defense groups (often called 'cyber militias' or CERTs) to coordinate with official government bodies and share best practices.
• Building Resilience: Moving beyond just technical defense to build whole-of-community resilience, incorporating planning, response, and recovery.

Impact Assessment

This initiative has the potential for significant positive impact:

• Protection for Vulnerable Sectors: Schools, local water utilities, and non-profits are frequent targets of ransomware and other attacks but lack the budget for dedicated security staff. This program aims to provide them with access to expertise and support.
• Strengthening the Talent Pipeline: Involving students and volunteers from universities like LSU provides them with real-world experience, helping to address the national cybersecurity workforce shortage.
• Improved Regional Coordination: In the event of a major regional cyberattack, the relationships and plans developed through these summits will enable a more coordinated and effective response.
• Creation of a National Model: By developing successful regional playbooks, the CLTC aims to create a model that can be replicated across the country, raising the baseline of cyber defense for all communities.

Compliance and Policy Context

This initiative aligns with the broader national cybersecurity strategy, which emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships and a whole-of-society approach to defending against cyber threats. It provides a practical framework for implementing the principles laid out in directives from agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which call for increased collaboration to protect critical infrastructure and State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) governments.

Guidance for Participation

Organizations and individuals interested in participating in or supporting the Cyber Civil Defense movement should:

• Engage with Local CERTs: Connect with your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or other volunteer tech groups.
• Contact State Cybersecurity Agencies: Reach out to your state's CISO or cybersecurity center (like the NJCCIC) to see how you can contribute.
• Follow the CLTC: Monitor announcements from the UC Berkeley CLTC for details on the upcoming regional summits.
• Offer Pro Bono Services: If you are a cybersecurity professional or company, consider offering pro bono services to local non-profits or schools to help them improve their security posture.