Representative Simmons Highlights Importance of Cybersecurity in Connecticut

(HARTFORD, CT) October 28, 2020 – Representative Caroline Simmons calls attention to the importance of cybersecurity in Connecticut. With Ransomware on the rise and recent reports warning of cyberattackers targeting our elections, Rep. Simmons commits support to developing legislation to address this evolving threat.

The cyber threat is real. Cyber threats pose serious risks to CT’s infrastructure, utilities, businesses, hospitals, schools, and consumers. There were over 400 reports of security breaches in CT in 2013, compromising the personal information of over 500,000 CT residents. These include attacks ranging from the Target, Home Depot, and Anthem breaches, to attacks on our state and local government agencies, schools, and small businesses, pointing to the increasing need for better cyber defenses. Yet, no national legal minimum standard of cybersecurity exists that our public and private sector organizations must follow.

Until then, we can increase our cybersecurity by incentivizing the voluntary adoption of cybersecurity best practices. One way to do that is to create a safe harbor for all organizations in Connecticut for adopting a written cyber plan based on a recognized best practice, like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or the CIS Critical Security Controls.

“Connecticut has the opportunity to be a national leader on cybersecurity,” Rep. Simmons said. “Now is the time to advance legislation incentivizing the voluntary adoption of Cybersecurity protocols in order to protect our public and private sector industries from this threat.”

Rep. Simmons plans to introduce legislation in the 2021 legislative session to help keep Connecticut safe from cyberattacks.