As digital threats to our nation’s infrastructure continue to grow, the bipartisan Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act aims to strengthen cybersecurity for government agencies and municipalities – frequent targets of cyberattacks. This legislation marks a major step toward securing sensitive data and critical systems across the public sector. As a leading Managed Service Provider (MSP) specializing in IT and cybersecurity for government clients, we’re here to explain what this bill means for you and how it can help enhance your cybersecurity posture.

What is the Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act and What Does It Mean for Government Cybersecurity?

This important bill aims to renew and enhance a decade-old law that encourages collaboration and information sharing between the private sector and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The core of the legislation is the voluntary sharing of “cyber threat indicators” – think of these as digital fingerprints of malicious activity, such as malware signatures, software vulnerabilities, and suspicious IP addresses. By sharing this information, the goal is to create a more unified and proactive defense against cyber threats, preventing data breaches and protecting the personal information of citizens.

Key Cybersecurity Provisions in the Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act for Government Agencies

The “Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act” has several key provisions that will directly impact how governments and municipalities approach cybersecurity:

• Renewed Information Sharing: The bill reauthorizes the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, which has been crucial in responding to major cyberattacks like SolarWinds and Volt Typhoon. This means that the channels for sharing threat intelligence will remain open and be strengthened, providing your organization with access to timely and actionable information.
• Liability Protections: A major component of the bill is the renewal of liability protections for companies that share threat information. This is a critical incentive that encourages more organizations to participate in the information-sharing ecosystem without the fear of legal repercussions. For you, this means a larger pool of shared data to draw from, leading to more comprehensive threat intelligence.
• Privacy Protections: The bill includes robust privacy protections to prevent the sharing of personally identifiable information (PII). This is a crucial element that ensures the privacy of citizens is respected while still allowing for the effective sharing of threat data.

How a Managed Service Provider (MSP) Can Help You Navigate the New Landscape

While the Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act is a positive step, it underscores the increasing complexity of cybersecurity for government agencies and municipalities. Understanding the legislation’s impact on compliance, threat mitigation, and data sharing is critical for maintaining a secure infrastructure. Here’s how we can help:

• Expertise and Experience: We have extensive experience working with public sector clients and understand the unique challenges you face. Our team of certified cybersecurity professionals can help you make sense of the new legislation and implement a security strategy that is tailored to your specific needs.
• Proactive Threat Hunting: We don’t just wait for threats to come to you. Our team actively hunts for threats and vulnerabilities in your network, using the latest threat intelligence and advanced security tools. This proactive approach can help you stay one step ahead of the attackers.
• 24/7 Monitoring and Response: Cyberattacks can happen at any time. That’s why we offer 24/7 monitoring and response services to ensure that your systems are always protected. In the event of an incident, our team will be there to respond quickly and effectively, minimizing the damage and getting you back up and running as soon as possible.
• Compliance and Reporting: We can help you navigate the complex web of cybersecurity regulations and ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable laws. We also provide detailed reporting that gives you a clear picture of your security posture and the value we are providing.

Overall, the Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act’s cybersecurity provisions are designed to help government agencies and municipalities enhance their cyber resilience by promoting safer information-sharing practices, while still protecting citizen privacy.

The Takeaway

The “Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act” cybersecurity legislation is a welcome development that strengthens the public sector’s cyber defenses. For government agencies and municipalities, it reinforces the importance of taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity and collaboration.

Ready to learn more about how we can help you enhance your cybersecurity posture? Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Reference Article: (Ribeiro & Ribeiro, 2025)

About HCH: HCH Enterprises, LLC (HCH) is a solutions-oriented technology services provider. From managed services to project-based engagements, our IT and Security services allow clients to focus on their core competencies with the peace of mind of knowing their technology framework is operational, optimized, and secure. We are certified as a Minority-Owned, Disabled, and Small Business Enterprise (MBE/DBE/SBE). We believe our work benefits from the diverse perspectives of our employees and are committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Small businesses face an ever-present threat: phishing attacks. These deceptive cyber schemes can wreak havoc, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and severe reputation damage. To safeguard your small business and ensure your team stays clear of phishing traps, it’s essential to implement robust security strategies and educate your staff about the dangers of these scams.

Unveiling the Phishing Menace

Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals sending convincing emails or messages that appear to be from trusted sources, often mimicking renowned companies, government entities, or colleagues. The sinister objective? To manipulate recipients into disclosing sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card details, or personal data, or to dupe them into downloading malicious software.

Safeguarding Your Small Business

Employee Training: Your workforce is the first line of defense against phishing threats. Empower them with the knowledge to spot common phishing indicators, like unexpected emails requesting confidential data, misspelled website URLs, or generic greetings. Encourage a cautious approach and emphasize the importance of verifying unusual requests.

Implement Top-notch Security Software: Get strong antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your computers. Keep this software up to date to make sure it works properly.

Harness Email Filtering: Set up email filters to catch phishing emails before they reach your team. Filters can find and flag suspicious messages, making it harder for phishing attacks to succeed.

Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for important accounts. This means you’ll need to confirm your identity using a second method, like a text message or an authentication app. It adds a layer of protection.

Regular Updates: Make sure all your software, operating systems, and apps are always up-to-date. Cybercriminals often use weaknesses in outdated software to attack.

Create an Incident Response Plan: Create a plan for what to do if you suspect a phishing attack. The plan should include steps to stop the attack, tell the right people, and investigate what happened.

Embrace Encryption: Use encryption to keep your important information safe. Encrypting emails and files makes it very hard for cybercriminals to steal your data.

Check Your Vendors: If you rely on other companies for services or software, make sure they have strong security measures. A breach at one of your vendors could hurt your business too.

Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest phishing tricks and trends. Cyber threats change, so it’s important to keep learning to stay safe.

Regular Testing: Regularly test your team with fake phishing emails to see if they can spot them. It helps find areas where more training is needed.

Conclusion

By prioritizing employee education, implementing robust security measures, and staying vigilant, your small business can protect its valuable data and reputation from cybercriminals aiming to get your staff “hooked” in their phishing schemes. Contact HCH Sales to access our support and expertise.

Software Security: A Critical Concern for Businesses in 2025

In March, HCH strongly recommended that clients prioritize addressing the Top 8 Cybersecurity Challenges of 2025. Among these, Software Security emerged as a critical concern, particularly for businesses undergoing Digital Transformation.

The complexity of Software Security is intensified when dealing with Outdated Security Technologies and inadequate responses to Zero Day Events. A valuable approach to bolster Software Security confidence is through Web Application Penetration Testing (WAPT).

Resource Allocation is a Key Concern

A significant overarching concern is resource allocation. Clients with established Software Security processes are striving to achieve more with limited resources. This often involves outsourcing, deferring remediation efforts, and compromising validation processes. Conversely, clients without existing Software Security measures face challenges in securing adequate resources for software development, let alone validation.

HCH acknowledges this dilemma and has chosen to collaborate with CyberLeaf due to their innovative delivery model, which optimizes Return on Investment (ROI) and cost savings for clients.

Instill a Software Security Mindset

Instilling a Software Security mindset within your organization can be transformational. Unlike functional requirements, Security is largely non-functional. While system design, infrastructure configuration, and software coding address functional needs, they might not inherently ensure security. At the very least, development teams should familiarize themselves with the OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities. CyberLeaf’s assessments have revealed critical vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, Remote Code Execution, and the use of Default Credentials. To effectively address these threats, HCH suggests implementing a comprehensive checklist within your software release process.

Get the Most Out of Your Penetration Testing

To derive maximum value from your investment in penetration testing, it’s essential to empower your penetration tester. Collaborate with HCH to enhance your preparedness. Avoid potential hindrances during testing, such as:

• Testers lacking necessary credentials or access prior to the test initiation.
• Misalignment of the testing scope.
• Insufficient ongoing collaboration throughout the testing process.
• Inadequate brief or asset information.

Remediate and Retest Critical Findings

While CyberLeaf offers retesting for resolved findings, less than 25% of identified issues undergo retesting. Although this might be reasonable for lower-severity findings, it’s concerning that 61% of critical vulnerabilities remain untested again, likely due to unresolved issues or a decision to forgo validating crucial fixes. HCH firmly advocates for the remediation and retesting of critical findings. Moderate findings should not be accepted without formal documentation of compensatory controls.

Conclusion

Trust in your Software Security demands verification. Make security a cornerstone of your software release strategy. Prioritize thorough testing of your software application and adequately prepare for the testing process to maximize its value. Lastly, prioritize the rectification and retesting of significant findings. HCH is dedicated to assisting you throughout this journey. Contact HCH Sales to access our support and expertise.

Leaders in Government and Critical Infrastructure

Today, we would like to explore how government leaders can champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as foundational principles in their decision-making processes. By prioritizing these principles, leaders can create policies that better reflect the needs of all people and build trust among their constituents.