Sacramento, Calif. (August 28, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado is urging California and Central Valley counties to make cyber defense an immediate priority following a new open letter signed by more than 100 of the world’s leading technology, cybersecurity, financial and infrastructure companies warning that there is a “limited window to strengthen cyber defenses.”

The open letter, “A Call for Collective Action on Cyber Defense,” was signed by companies including Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, IBM, Mastercard, Visa and others. It warns that in the coming months, AI-enabled cyberattacks are expected to become more widespread and sophisticated as artificial intelligence capabilities continue to advance.

The letter specifically calls on governments to coordinate cyber defense, fund essential services that lack sufficient staff or resources, and provide hospitals, water utilities and local governments with access to defensive AI, authorized security testing and hands-on technical support.

Hurtado is calling on California to act on that warning in the Central Valley and is seeking dedicated state budget funding for the Offices of Emergency Services in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties to strengthen regional cyber defense and critical infrastructure protection.

“When more than 100 of the world’s leading technology and cybersecurity companies are telling us that we have a limited window to prepare, we should listen,” said Senator Hurtado. “The Central Valley cannot wait until a cyberattack shuts down a hospital, compromises a water system or disrupts emergency services before we act. California needs to invest, and our counties need to prepare.”

For the Central Valley, cyber defense is directly connected to public safety, economic security and the protection of critical infrastructure. Hospitals, drinking water and wastewater systems, emergency communications, local governments, agricultural and food systems, transportation networks and other essential services increasingly depend on interconnected digital systems.

The proposed state investment would help county emergency management agencies expand cybersecurity assessments and threat monitoring, incident response and recovery capabilities, specialized personnel and training, secure communications and defensive technology, including responsible use of AI-powered cybersecurity tools. It would also strengthen coordination among counties, cities, hospitals, water agencies, emergency responders and other critical-infrastructure operators.

Hurtado is also urging Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties to work together on a regional strategy to identify vulnerabilities, share threat information and prepare for cyber incidents that may cross jurisdictional lines.

“A cyberattack does not stop at a county line. Neither should our defense,” Hurtado said. “These four counties are responsible for infrastructure that millions of people depend on and that is critical to California’s food supply and economy. Protecting the Central Valley is part of protecting California.”

“The message from the cyber defense community is clear: act now,” Hurtado added. “We have a window to strengthen our defenses before these threats become even more sophisticated. California and the Central Valley should use it.”

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties.

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