Board Expected To Back Cyberspace Security Proposals

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County supervisors Tuesday are expected to vote their support for two federal bills that would make money available to local and state governments to fortify their cyber security systems and provide U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel to identify and stop internet- based threats.

"Given the seriousness of the threats to local governments in today's world, it is important that Congress support local governments as we develop and improve techniques for preventing, mitigating and responding to cyber- attacks," according to a county Emergency Management Department statement posted to the Board of Supervisors' policy agenda.

"As many county governments across the country work to deploy new and evolving technology to provide a host of services in their communities, the need to ensure the continued operation of our country's digital infrastructure is greater than ever before," the post concluded.

The board is being asked to endorse both Senate bill No. 412, the Local Cyber Protection Act of 2017, and House of Representatives bill No. 1344, the State Cyber Resiliency Act of 2017.

S. 412 would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to mandate that staff from DHS' National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center be available to assist local governments in identifying vulnerabilities in their information technology networks, finding the best methods to secure data and dispose of electronic files, and training systems operators.

The bill would require creation of a web portal intended to keep users informed of important developments and provide details on what defensive measures might be needed to mitigate risks and counter threats.

H.R. 1344 would establish a grant program, overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to disburse funds to qualifying state government entities for recruitment of cyber security experts, fortification of emergency communications systems, mitigation of threats to infrastructure and scholarship programs focused on cyber security education.

States would be permitted to pass some of the funding on to local governments in the form of sub grants, according to the legislation.

HR 1344 has been under review by the House Committee on Homeland Security since March, while S. 412 has been unheard in the Senate Committee on Homeland Security since February, according to Congress.gov .

— By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock