NEW YORK STATE SENATE PASSES SENATOR CROCI’S PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN CYBER SECURITY DEFENSE IN NEW YORK

Media Contacts:                                                                                                                                           

Christine Geed, Communications Specialist

geed@nysenate.gov or (631) 398-8044

Jennifer Romero, Press Secretary

jromero@nysenate.gov or (631) 513-5657

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, May 5, 2016

For Immediate Release

Albany, NY – The New York State Senate has passed a package of legislation sponsored by Senator Thomas Croci (R, C, I – Sayville) that addresses counter-terrorism and cyber security efforts in New York State.

“Our enemies have had too many years, millions of dollars, the sanctuary and the ability to plan, train and recruit for attacks on the U.S.,” said Senator Croci.  “Cyber terrorism is a pervasive and rapidly expanding threat that is very real,  especially to New York.  We need strong legislation that sends an equally strong message saying  New York will do whatever is necessary to protect our business infrastructure, it’s citizens and this state from cybercrimes committed by those wishing us harm.  The time is now for the Assembly and the Governor to pass this legislation and put the protection of New York and its citizens first.”

The first bill (S3405A) would amend the executive law to require a comprehensive review of all cyber security services to be performed every five years by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in an effort to assess the cyber security needs of the state and detailed description of how these needs are met, including the protection of individual sensitive personal data kept on state databases.

The second bill (S3406) would amend the penal law to create the new crime of criminal possession of computer-related material in the first degree, as well as reclassify the present Class E felony crime of criminal possession of computer-related material to now become criminal possession in the second degree. The purpose of this bill is to deter those who might engage in cyber attacks before they do so, and more appropriately punish those who commit such an attack.

The last bill in the package (S3407A) would establish the New York State Cyber Security Advisory Board, a New York Cyber Security Partnership Program, and a New York State Cyber Security Information Sharing Program. These collaborative efforts would allow New York State to identify ways to protect critical infrastructure and information systems; assist the public and private sector to develop practices to better protect and defend their interests against cyber threats; and identify security threats facing the state, its businesses and citizens, and to develop effective ways to combat these threats.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed Senator Croci’s bill (S3404) that would create new penalties for a variety of cyber crimes. Under the measure, it would be a Class A felony for any person found guilty of intimidating, coercing, or affecting the public or a government entity by causing mass injury, damage, or debilitation of people or their property, including computers and related programs, data network, or material. A new Class C felony would include anyone who uses a computer to cause serious financial harm affecting more than 10 people.

All bills have been sent to the Assembly.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov.  Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jromero@nysenate.gov

###