New York State to Debut First Cybersecurity Strategy
The state of New York will debut its first cybersecurity strategy, including plans to modernize government networks, provide digital defenses at the county level and regulate critical infrastructure. The strategy, which Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to announce today, comes as an array of cyberattacks have battered New York, with the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services responding to 57 cyber incidents in 2022.
These include a monthslong shutdown of municipal systems in Suffolk County, and attacks on schools and healthcare systems across the state. Kathryn Garcia, director of operations for New York state, said that the growing sophistication of hackers and the threats they pose to both state and national security prompted the creation of the strategy. “Many of the pieces of the strategy plan are already in flight, but we also know that we are only as strong as our weakest link," she said.
The strategy focuses on five areas, including upgrading state networks to support modern security technology such as multifactor authentication. The plan also calls for the state to work with county governments and federal agencies on cybercrime investigations and information sharing. In addition, the state plans to focus on developing its cybersecurity workforce and educating New York residents and companies about cybersecurity.
Also key to the strategy is exploring how existing agencies can further regulate critical infrastructure companies to beef up cyber defenses, said Garcia. Several states have cybersecurity strategies in place, including Iowa, Michigan and West Virginia, and many other programs are folded into wider IT plans. Few approach the scale and resources dedicated to New York’s plan.
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