NY Senate to Convene Cybersecurity Hearing in Rome

ROME -Six Senate committees will hold a joint hearing at noon on Monday, November 18, 2013 to hear testimony from experts in law enforcement, finance and computer science about the state’s preparedness against cyber-attacks.

“Cyber crime is a major economic issue, resulting in more than $500 million in losses last year alone,” said Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee and is hosting the event. “There’s a reason why England considers it an even greater threat than nuclear war. We need to take a closer look at what our state is doing to prevent cyberattacks that could affect our security, our economy and our government.”

The hearing, which is open to the public, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Monday at the Griffiss Institute, 725 Daedalian Drive. It can also be watched live on the Internet at http://www.livestream.com/nysenate4

Invited to give testimony and scheduled to appear are:

• Benjamin Lawsky, Department of Financial Services superintendent
• Jerome Hauer, Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services commissioner
• Joseph D’Amico, State Police superintendent
• A representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Cybersecurity & Communications

Local experts include:

• Steve Chapin, associate professor at Syracuse University’s LC Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Shiu-Kai Chin, co-director of Syracuse University’s Center for Information and Systems Assurance and Trust (CISAT)
• Raymond L. Philo, Utica College’s director of research operations
• A representative of the Cyber NY Alliance, Rome

The full list of speakers will be announced at the event.

The six committees participating in the hearing are:

• Banking, chaired by Sen. Griffo, R-Rome
• Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs, chaired by Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson
• Insurance, chaired by Sen. James Seward, R-Oneonta
• Commerce, Economic Development & Small Business, chaired by Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida
• Crime Victims, Crime & Correction, chaired by Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma
• Select Committee on Science, Technology, Incubation & Entrepreneurship, chaired by Sen. Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn

Senator David J. Valesky said: “As our world has transformed with the proliferation of technological advances, we must also change the way we protect ourselves from crime and attacks. Everyone, from individuals to corporations and governments, must be aware and diligent. I look forward to hearing from our experts about what we need to do to keep New Yorkers safe in the Digital Age.”