Gallivan, Five Senate Committee Chairs Host State's First Hearing on Cyber-Security

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

Senator Patrick Gallivan said: “The digital age in which we now live provides seemingly endless opportunities for innovation and advancement, but at the same time presents new and ever-evolving challenges for law enforcement at the local, state and national level. We are reminded every day in countless headlines from across the globe about the severity and sophistication of cyber-crime; personal financial and medical information, and even national security are all under constant attack from a new breed of criminal. In the past, law enforcement has often played a game of catch-up with cyber-criminals, but today my Senate colleagues and I took the first step towards ensuring that New York State and its residents are secure and protected in the 21st century.”

“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 cyber-attacks that could affect our security, our economy and our government.”

Those providing testimony included:

• 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 from Cyber NY Alliance, Rome

The six committees participating in the hearing were:

• 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