State agencies: information security: Zero Trust architecture.

Existing law requires every state agency, as specified, to certify, by February 1 annually, to the office that the agency is in compliance with all adopted policies, standards, and procedures and to include a plan of action and milestones, as specified.

This bill would require every state agency, as specified, and subject to specified exceptions, to implement Zero Trust architecture for all data, hardware, software, internal systems, and essential third-party software, including for on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, to achieve prescribed levels of maturity based on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Maturity Model, as defined, by specified dates. In implementing Zero Trust architecture, the bill would require state agencies to prioritize the use of solutions that comply with, are authorized by, or align to federal guidelines, programs, and frameworks and, at a minimum, prioritize multifactor authentication for access to all systems and data, enterprise endpoint detection and response solutions, and robust logging practices, as specified. The bill would require the office's chief to develop or revise uniform technology policies, standards, and procedures for use by all state agencies in Zero Trust architecture to achieve specified maturity levels on all systems in the State Administrative Manual and Statewide Information Management Manual. The bill would require the chief to update requirements for existing annual reporting activities to collect information relating to the progress state agencies are making to increase internal defenses of agency systems. The bill would authorize the chief to update existing annual reporting activities to include how a state agency is progressing with respect to specified goals. The bill would also state the Legislature's intent that the bill's provisions be implemented in a manner consistent with the state's timely compliance with requirements that are conditions to receipt of federal funds. The bill would also make related legislative findings and declarations.