BILL NUMBER: S3607

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law and the general
business law, in relation to telecommunications service security

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

This bill would improve telecommunication security by restricting access
to telecommunication hardware and software to authorized employees, and
require the performance of a security audit of New York's Telecommuni-
cation centers.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Specifically, this bill would:

1. Amend the executive law to require the New York State Office of Home-
land Security, in cooperation with the Division of the State Police, to
perform an investigation and, on or before April 1, 2010, and shall
issue a report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate,
              

and the speaker of the state assembly, on telecommunication security in
New York State. Such investigation and report shall examine the facili-
ties and operations of all corporations which offer or provide telecom-
munications services, and shall examine and report on the safety and
security of all facilities, equipment and procedures of such corpo-
rations and make recommendations with respect to the improvement of the
security thereof; and

2. Amend the general business law to provide that no corporation which
offers or provides telecommunications services shall permit access to
any hardware or software, or any portion of a facility owned or operated
by such corporation, where such hardware or software is maintained,
where such hardware or software provides switching, transforming,
computer or other technological services in the delivery of its telecom-
munication services, except by employees of the corporation who have
satisfied the requirements of a security background check, as designed
and administered by the New York State Office of Homeland Security and
the Division of the State Police.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

One of the proven targets of modern day terrorists and criminals is
communication centers. These centers provide an invaluable service to
our modem life, public safety and economy. The openness of our society
has left them especially vulnerable to attack, with exponential conse-
quences. This legislation would take two major steps to improve security
of our state's telecommunications: (i) by restricting access to the
hardware and software of such facilities to only authorized employees
who have passed a background check examination; and, (ii) by requiring
the state office of homeland security, in cooperation with the division
of the state police, to perform an investigation and issue a report on
how to improve telecommunication security throughout New York State.

These measures seek to help both deter attacks from occurring, and mini-
mize their severity if they do occur at these important infrastructure
installations. In so doing, it will make our state, its citizens and
communities, safer and more secure.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017/18 S3672 - Referred to Veteran, Homeland Security & Military
Affairs
2015-16: 5.3888 - Referred to Veteran, Homeland Security & Military
Affairs
2013-14: 5.3122 - Referred to Veteran, Homeland Security & Military
Affairs
2011-12: S.3249 - Referred to Veteran, Homeland Security & Military
Affairs
2009-10: S.4698/A.10462 - Referred to Veterans; Died in Gov. Ops.
2007-08: S.3586/A.8301- Died in Rules; Died in Gov. Ops.

 
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.