Saying California is increasingly vulnerable to both foreign and domestic cyber security attacks, Assembly Speaker John Perez has introduced legislation that would bring government and private experts together to advise the state on how to better protect itself.
The bill, AB 2200, states a commission is needed because of California’s growing dependence on technology. To do nothing could come at a big cost.
The Department of Defense estimates more than 50,000 new malicious online activities are discovered every day and sophisticated attacks could cost more than $10 million. A 2012 data breach cost the state of South Carolina more than $20 million.
The California Cyber Security Commission outlined in Perez’s bill would include representatives from state, local and federal governments, the Legislature, California universities and private industry.
Commissioners would meet monthly, file quarterly reports with the governor and the Legislature, set minimum security standards for state agencies and establish a hierarchy of command and response to cyber attacks.
The commission would remain active until 2020. The Los Angeles Democrat introduced the bill Feb. 20, and it could be considered in committee as early as March 23.
