Investments aim to protect state systems, improve service reliability, and enhance health information exchange operations
RALEIGH — North Carolina is making a major push to strengthen the security of its digital infrastructure, with the newly approved state budget directing more than $60 million toward cybersecurity upgrades, data modernization, and improvements to the state’s health information exchange.
The budget sets aside $18 mill in recurring funding to support long-term cybersecurity operations and $42 mill in nonrecurring funding for immediate system upgrades. State leaders say the combination of ongoing and one-time funding is designed to address both current vulnerabilities and future threats.
Another $25 million in nonrecurring funding will be used to modernize statewide data management systems, an effort aimed at improving how agencies store, share, and protect information. The NC Health Information Exchange Authority will receive $3.8 million to support its role in connecting providers and improving the flow of health data across the state.
Officials say the investments come at a time when government services are increasingly dependent on secure digital platforms. Cyberattacks targeting public agencies have grown more sophisticated, prompting states nationwide to reevaluate how they protect sensitive information.
Nate Denny, Secretary of the NC Department of Information Technology and the state’s Chief Information Officer, said the funding marks a significant step forward.
“This budget recognizes that cybersecurity is foundational to safe, reliable government operations,” Denny said. “This is not a one-time expense; protecting North Carolina’s data and systems requires an ongoing commitment. I thank Governor Josh Stein and members of the House and Senate for this historic commitment.”
State officials say the funding package represents a coordinated strategy to secure public data, reduce service disruptions, and strengthen the resilience of North Carolina’s digital infrastructure.
Sources: NC Department of Information Technology; NC Health Information Exchange Authority.
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