In wake of Rutgers cyberattacks, better protections proposed in NJ

 One of New Jersey’s legislative leaders wants the state to better protect computers and technology systems from cyberattacks.

 

A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg calls for spending $50,000 to create a cybersecurity commission in the state attorney general’s office.

“Many of us have heard from our big insurance company about cyberattacks, about hacking, about our personal information being breached. I think nobody is immune,” she said. “The commission will foster a whole discussion on cybersecurity, on education opportunities, etc.”

The series of cyberattacks that disabled computers at Rutgers University shows why the commission is needed, said Weinberg, D-Bergen.

“Rutgers should have a lot of technology types associated with them, and if it can happen to them, it can happen to anybody, so this is a proactive step,” she said Wednesday.

Six state agency officials — including the Homeland Security director, chief technology officer, and the Economic Development Authority’s CEO — would be on the 13-member commission. Seven private citizens with expertise in technology, business, public safety and education also would be appointed.

They’d provide advice on how to better secure the state’s networks, systems and data.