‘We all need to raise our cyber game’: How New York is battling hackers despite Trump budget cuts

The state of New York is ramping up its cybersecurity measures following a series of attacks that highlighted its vulnerabilities. After a severe incident in 2021 that crippled services in Suffolk County, Gov. Kathy Hochul initiated a statewide cybersecurity strategy to safeguard critical infrastructure and improve data protection.

Key Points

  • New York’s cybersecurity strategy integrates local governments into a unified framework for protection.
  • The state has increased cyber spending and created the position of chief cyber officer, appointing Colin Ahern.
  • Federal funding is crucial for state-level cybersecurity, but recent budget cuts threaten these resources.
  • The convergence of cyber threat actors poses an escalating risk to infrastructure across the state.
  • Ahern stresses the need for AI awareness as it enhances the capabilities of threat actors.

Why should I read this?

If you care about the security of our digital infrastructure—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?—this article breaks down the crucial steps New York is taking to fend off cyber threats in an increasingly hostile landscape. It’s not just for tech geeks; this is about protecting services we all depend on. Don’t miss out on understanding the big picture!