By New York State Senator Joseph A. Griffo, R-C-Rome, 53rd District
Recently, a series of cyberattacks targeted water systems in at least 12 states.
These potentially crippling and far-reaching acts have exposed vulnerabilities and shortcomings in the delivery of important resources.
It is incumbent upon New York to ensure that we can identify threats and are prepared if a similar attack takes place here.
To support that effort, I am calling on the governor to assemble state agencies, private sector representatives and county leaders from across the state to assess our preparedness level and ability to stop online attacks.
We must plan properly, have open and effective communication across all spectrums that could potentially be targeted, and ensure that redundancies and procedures are in place to respond to and hopefully prevent dangerous online intrusions.
I envisioned the potential for cyberattacks and other cybersecurity challenges several years ago when, as chair of the Senate’s Banking Committee, I hosted six Senate committees at the Griffiss Institute in Rome to hear testimony from experts in law enforcement, finance and computer science about the state’s preparedness for such acts. The joint hearing was the largest in the history of the state Senate.
Additionally, I continue to support legislation and initiatives that would help protect New Yorkers from malicious cyber activity.
With technology pervading nearly every aspect of our lives and economy, the threat of cyberattacks in our nation has become the new normal of our time. Unfortunately, many local governments, hospitals, health systems, schools, businesses, and other organizations have been targeted by these online attacks.
Given the significant economic, social and security issues that arise when a cyberattack does occur, we must do everything that we can to stay ahead of those who intend to harm the citizens and businesses of New York State.
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