California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority

CALPIA awarded $150,000 cybersecurity grant

January 30, 2025

Information Security Officer Andy Brannan and Project Manager Matt Howery hold the award letter for CALPIA’s cybersecurity grant.

CALPIA plans to strengthen its cybersecurity protection thanks to a $150,000 grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

CALPIA’s Management Information Systems (MIS) team worked on the grant proposal last year. On Dec. 24, 2024, they learned their proposal was selected to receive funding.

“I am so pleased with our MIS team for putting in the extra work to help the overall security health of our organization,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson. “These funds will be put to good use to bolster our IT security in the future.”

CALPIA team worked together

CALPIA’s Chief Information Officer Danny Berringer, who oversees the MIS team, agrees.

“I could not be prouder of our team and the way they collaborated to make this happen,” said Berringer. “We want to make sure our security system stays top-notch.”

CALPIA learned about the grant from an email Project Manager Kelly Middleton received.

The email was then brought to the attention of the MIS team including:

fellow Project Manager Matt Howery
Information Security Analyst Teresa Cook
and Student Assistant Gabby Hubbell who worked on the application process.

“We had to fill out many pages to ensure we provided enough detail with the proper verbiage,” said Howery. “We only had a week and a half to compile all the information, and we had to rely on each other.”

Information Security Officer Andy Brannan also helped with the grant, saying it will enable CALPIA to reach a higher level of cybersecurity.

“The extra funds will enable us to improve our help desk ticketing, asset management and change management systems,” said Brannan. “Once I heard we received the grant, I was elated and felt like we needed to celebrate.”

Brannan said Cal OES will want detailed documents and will set up follow-up meetings but is excited to help MIS streamline the helpdesk system and make it more robust.

Howery agreed, saying that all CALPIA will benefit from this award.

“This grant came in perfect timing, an early Christmas gift that was well-received,” Howery said.

Story by Michele Kane, Assistant General Manager
CALPIA External Affairs

See more CALCTRA stories.

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.