ALBANY, NY – New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently discussed the recent 24th Annual Cyber Security Conference, a major cyber security event in New York City at Empire State Plaza.
The two-day event brought together more than 1,000 cybersecurity professionals from state and local governments, academia and the private sector to discuss emerging industry developments and best practices designed to improve New York State’s security.
“Maintaining a robust cyber security infrastructure is crucial to protecting New Yorkers and our country’s businesses and institutions,” Hochul said. “The Annual Cyber Security Conference brings together the smartest minds to explore revolutionary innovations and new strategies to protect New Yorkers, and I look forward to exploring new opportunities to invest in our country’s cyber security infrastructure.”
The conference is in line with Hochul’s longstanding commitment to protecting New Yorkers and businesses from cyber threats and improving overall security and state security.
Earlier this year, the governor announced the creation of the Brooklyn Joint Security Operations Center, which will serve as a nerve center for joint local, state and federal cyber efforts, including data collection, response efforts and information sharing.
“We recognize the importance of cybersecurity and continue to work to do everything we can to combat cyber threats in New York. The annual NYS Cybersecurity Conference brings thousands of experts and professionals in the field to Albania to discuss best practices for improving security across the country. By bringing together the best and smartest, we encourage innovative solutions to ensure that the personal data of all New Yorkers is protected and secure, ”said Angelo ‘Tony Riddick, New York State Information Technology Chief of Information.
“Our country is facing an increasing threat to cyber security, which requires greater cooperation in all our sectors. “This conference gives our partners across the country the opportunity to coordinate and share information relevant to protecting New Yorkers from growing cyber risks,” said Jackie Bray, commissioner of the State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
“As attacks on our information technology become more frequent, we must be proactive in protecting that infrastructure. This conference brings together experts to discuss emerging threats and develop a strategy to protect our citizens, businesses and government institutions. By working together, we can prevent future cybercrime, ”said New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.
The annual conference is hosted by the New York State Office of Information Technology (ITS), in partnership with the University of Albany School of Business and the New York State Forum, Inc.
“To protect all New Yorkers, cybersecurity must be a top priority for IT professionals and users. The widespread use of virtual meetings and hybrid workplaces has added to the challenges we all face. It is crucial that we understand the level of threat and make sure we protect our valuable assets. This conference is a unique opportunity to learn from each other regardless of our level of expertise, ”commented Mario Musolino, CEO of The NYS Forum, Inc.
“Cybersecurity is one of the most important research forces at the University of Albany, and UAlbany is proud that its business school has long been a supporter of the NYS Cybersecurity Conference and the annual Symposium on Information Security. The New York Office of Information Technology is a valued partner, and this event is a great example of how academia and government can work together to make our cyber infrastructure safer and more resilient, ”said Havidán Rodríguez, President of the University of Albania.
“The New York State Annual Cyber Security Conference has given our agency a better insight into new technology and trends so we can continue to keep our state’s election infrastructure secure. Education and information sharing at all levels of government and academia have increased our awareness of potential cyber threats and helped us improve our cyber risk remediation planning, ”added Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky, co-executive director of the New York State Election Commission.
In the adopted budget for fiscal 2023, Hochul provided $ 61.9 million for cyber security, doubling its previous investment. These investments will fund critical protections, including the expansion of the state’s Cyber Red Team program to provide additional penetration testing, an expanded identity theft exercise program, vulnerability scanning, and additional cyber incident response services. These investments help ensure that if one part of the network is attacked, the state can isolate and protect the rest of the system.
Also, as part of these investments, the governor included a $ 30 million “shared services” program to help local governments and other regional partners procure and implement high-quality cybersecurity services to strengthen their cyber defense. The interconnected nature of government networks and IT programs means that attacks can spread rapidly across the state.
Many government entities often lack the financial or resources needed to protect their systems, some of which provide critical services such as health care, law enforcement, emergency management, water treatment, and unemployment insurance, to name a few.
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