Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the membership of the Governor’s Cyber Security Advisory Board, which will advise the administration on developments in cyber security and make recommendations for protecting the state’s critical infrastructure and information systems. The Governor first outlined the Cyber Security Advisory Board in his State of the State Address this January. The board members named today are among the world’s leading experts in cyber security and bring vast experience in both the public and private sectors.

Today’s announcement is underscored by recent reports of attacks on both government and corporate data systems. Just this week, eight members of a cybercrime organization were indicted for allegedly participating in a massive bank robbery using just the internet – inflicting $45 million in losses on the global financial system and withdrawing $2.8 million from A.T.M. machines in New York City alone. Yesterday, the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) announced that there was a security breach on its website, which may have compromised up to 160,000 Social Security numbers and 1 million driver license numbers. The investigation of this breach was conducted by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which is led by a member of the Cyber Security Advisory Board.

“Recent reports of cyber-attacks on governments and corporations are further evidence that our physical and virtual worlds are increasingly intertwined and the need to increase cyber security to guard against these threats is urgent,” Governor Cuomo said. “In the 21st century, almost all of our daily activities are linked to the internet – from banking to shopping to using our telecommunications networks and physical infrastructure systems. Our federal government is working to combat emerging cyber security threats on a national level, and our state must do its part. Just as we protect against crime on our streets, we must also work to defend New Yorkers from cyber threats, ranging from identity theft to consumer fraud to threats to our physical infrastructure.”

U.S. officials at the highest levels continue to stress the serious threat that cyber attacks pose to the nation. Major cyber attacks on both public and private systems serve as a warning to all levels of government that they must do all they can to protect critical cyber infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, physical infrastructure systems, and transportation systems. The advisory board will work closely with the Governor and his administration to develop innovative, actionable policies to ensure that New York is in the forefront of public cyber security defense.

(YWN Desk – NYC)