[ad_1]
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Cyberattacks are on the rise, costing state agencies millions of dollars to get their computer systems working again. Now, a state lawmaker wants to create a new fund to make it easier for these agencies to get up and running.
State Rep. Debra Sariñana wants to use the budget surplus to create a fund to help state agencies recover from cyberattacks. Last year, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner was crippled for months after a ransomware attack. It took weeks to get the email system back up and even longer to get the website and phone system back up. The same thing happened the year before at the New Mexico Department of Regulation and Licensing.
“When one of our agencies was hit, it cost us $3.5 million just to get them up and running, and I think it cost a lot more than that,” said Rep. Sariñana. Those millions of dollars are not included in the agency’s budget. The Albuquerque Democrat wants to create a $35 million fund that could be used in the event of a government attack.
The funds will not be used to pay the ransom, but will be used to assist government agencies in restoring all services. “It is important that we have a fund in place so that when businesses are hit, especially large agencies, they can quickly get back on their feet,” said Congressman Sariñana.
State agencies must qualify for funding. They need to stay up-to-date on cyber training and ransomware. Congressman Sariñana said state funds were being used for the project and said such attacks would only increase in frequency. “Cyber and AI and everything that’s going on right now really needs to be watched, and this fund is great for all the agencies and organizations that need it right now, and we want to help them,” said Congressman Sariñana. I would like to prepare for it.”
She worked with the Cybersecurity Agency to develop the regulations and amounts needed for the fund. This is the second time that Sariñana has introduced this bill. The 30-day legislative session begins next week.
[ad_2]
Source link
