A digital shield.

Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force

The Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force contributes to the development, implementation, and strengthening of cybersecurity resilience across the state through the Minnesota Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan. The Cybersecurity Task Force provides an all-of-state approach to addressing critical cybersecurity needs for the State of Minnesota, including local governmental units at all levels and Minnesota Tribal Nations. 

The Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan is a component of Minnesota’s application for the federal government's State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).

The Cybersecurity Task Force's subcommittees focus on critical areas of concern: 

  • Advanced Cybersecurity Tools and Capabilities
  • Baseline Cybersecurity Capabilities
  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Cybersecurity Knowledge Portal

These subcommittees support the Cybersecurity Task Force through focused expertise and actionable strategies. Subcommittees provide recommendations to advance Task Force initiatives, guide critical decisions with specialized cybersecurity insights, and ensure strategies align with the Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan and overarching goals.

Apply to serve on the Cybersecurity Task Force

Applications are being accepted to serve on the 2026-2028 Minnesota Cybersecurity Task Force. MNIT is seeking active members with a passion for cybersecurity who are motivated to strengthen cyber resilience across the state. 

Cybersecurity Task Force members:

  • Serve a two-year term on the advisory body.
  • Work with MNIT to guide grant-funded cybersecurity services provided to local governments and K12 partners.
  • Help identify and enhance cybersecurity protections for Minnesotans.

Who is eligible:

  • MNIT welcomes applications from people who represent a Minnesota county, city, town, Tribal Nation, K12 school, critical infrastructure, or are a private sector IT expert.

For more information:


At this time, no additional meetings have been scheduled. After a new Cybersecurity Task Force is sworn in, a new meeting cadence will be established. This site will be updated when new meetings are scheduled.

Upcoming meetings

View Upcoming meetings

If you have questions about Cybersecurity Task Force meetings, please email CTF.MNIT@state.mn.us.


Members

The Cybersecurity Task Force is made up of 15 members. Membership includes county, city, town, tribal government, and private sector IT experts. The Task Force meetings also invite participation from interested members of the Minnesota Legislature. 

Name

Organization

John Israel,
chair

MNIT Assistant Commissioner, CISO

Brent Birkeland,
co-chair

Douglas County, IT director

Jennifer Czaplewski,
co-chair

Target Corp., vice president of cybersecurity solutions

Jacob Anson

Wright County, emergency preparedness coordinator

Lori Blair

Minnesota Rural Water Association, executive director

Bradley Budnick

City of Winona, IT manager

Lee DeVault

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, MIS security officer

Alex Hepp

City of Hopkins, chief information officer

Thomas Miller

Minnesota Department of Public Safety/Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, CSO

Brian Morgan

Minnesota National Guard, Lt. Col., Cyber Coordination Cell director

Eric Peterson

Allete Inc., cybersecurity and compliance manager

Nicole Pruden

East Central Minnesota Educational Cable Cooperative, network and security administrator

David Purscell 

Steele County, IT director

Andy Strand

Lower Sioux Indian Community, director of information technology

Rohit Tandon

Essentia Health, chief information security officer