FirstNet committee recommends $129 million budget with spectrum-relocation, cybersecurity funding

FirstNet’s proposed budget also calls for $28.7 million to be spent on consultation and outreach efforts to states, territories and federal entities. This effort includes the development of state plans that must be presented to governors, so they can decide whether their states will pursue the opt-out alternative.

The remaining $11.3 million in the proposed FirstNet budget is allocated to corporate services and other expenses. One notable area of attention in this area is the establishment of a customer-relationship-management (CRM) system to help better coordinate outreach and other communications with stakeholders as FirstNet’s staff and education efforts continue to grow.

Another key focus area will be cybersecurity, particularly in light of the high-profile data breaches that have occurred in recent years in both the government and corporate arenas.

Kennedy noted the recent hiring of Glenn Zimmerman as FirstNet’s cybersecurity lead. In addition, Kennedy said he met with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials last week, who informed him that there are many potential DHS cybersecurity resources available to FirstNet.

FirstNet Chairwoman Sue Swenson said it is important that FirstNet manage its security issues correctly, especially given the importance that the subject will have on potential stakeholders and partners.

“You know that this is a hot topic for a lot of us, so I just want to make sure that this gets the amount of attention [that it deserves],” Swenson said during the meeting. “If we need to put additional resources on this, I think we need to consider it. I don’t think it’s something that we should shortchange.”