This month, Techwire has presented private-sector advice on how cybersecurity can be done better in the public sector. Today, we have a quick Q and A with Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, D-San Gabriel Valley, and a member of the Legislature's Tech Caucus.
Rubio, in her role as chair of the Human Services Committee in the Assembly, helps oversee CalWORKS, child welfare services, foster care, developmental disabilities services, adult protective services and related programs. Rubio, who was elected to her first term in November, was appointed to the position by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Her professional background before the Assembly was as a classroom teacher.
Here, she offers Techwire readers some legislative pointers and a peek at the coming year.
Techwire: What is the biggest threat to California’s cybersecurity, especially the public sector?
Rubio: We as Californians face many cybersecurity challenges, such as, the protection of electronic medical records, personal identifiable records, connected autonomous vehicle networks, and safeguarding the state’s fiscal vitality and infrastructure from cyberespionage attacks.
TW: What is a legislative answer to that?
Rubio: We can always legislate more regulations, however I believe as a state, we must continue to expand our efforts towards education on cybersecurity and work towards reducing the severity of breeches and those affected by them.
TW: What is the outlook for cybersecurity in 2018?
Rubio: As we move into 2018 it is important not to overlook the very real possibility of cybersecurity breaches, considering that we continue to move toward higher dependency on technology. With that in mind, we need to acknowledge the immediate need to protect sensitive data now. As technological developments continue to advance, public and private sectors must continue to work together in order to find ways to strengthen and reduce California’s susceptibility to cybersecurity threats. Protecting our sensitive data is essential for the security of Californians, our economy and our state’s growth.
