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.

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. The Cybersecurity Task Force typically meets quarterly.

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

Rohit Tandon

Essentia Health, chief information security officer

Open seat: Tribal

Apply at Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State