Cybersecurity Bill Passes House, Would Help State Receive Disaster Relief Funding

Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) says new legislation will position Minnesota as a leader in cybersecurity. 

“Think of this bill as IT security and cybersecurity for the state of Minnesota,” explained Bahner, who authored the bill.

The bill identifies I.T. (information and telecommunications) technology as “critical infrastructure” in the event of a cyberattack.

The legislation would allow the state to take swifter action in the event of a cyberattack by working with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Department of Homeland Security to effectively respond to threats. It would also help the state receive federal disaster relief funding.

Cybersecurity has been a hot topic around the state after Rochester Schools were shut down by a cyber threat and a meat processing plant in Worthington fell victim to a ransomware attack.

The bill passed the House 122 to zero.

Learn more here.

See also: Newsmakers: Rep. Kristin Bahner Explains ‘IT’ as Critical Infrastructure

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