Gathering of Cyber Leaders to Tackle Threats at All Levels

TLDR:

• Cybersecurity experts from federal, state, and local government met to discuss threats.
• Key takeaways included concerns over China’s cyber attacks and vulnerabilities in water systems.

Cybersecurity experts gathered at the Billington State and Local Cybersecurity Summit to discuss critical infrastructure attacks, election security, and advancements in AI. The event highlighted concerns over China’s cyber attacks on critical infrastructure networks and vulnerabilities in US water systems. The discussion emphasized the need for collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as private-sector companies and nonprofit groups to address cybersecurity threats effectively.

Full Article:

Cybersecurity experts from state and local government, as well as top federal agencies, gathered at the inaugural Billington State and Local Cybersecurity Summit to discuss various cybersecurity challenges. The event covered topics such as ransomware attacks, election security, and the role of the National Guard in cybersecurity.

One of the key sessions titled “China in Your Digital Backyard” highlighted concerns over cyber attacks originating from China. The intelligence community expressed worry over the access that Chinese cyber actors have to critical infrastructure networks in the US, raising fears of potential disruptions in services.

In addition to discussing nation-state threats, the cybersecurity summit also addressed vulnerabilities in US water systems. A letter from the Biden administration and the Environmental Protection Agency warned of cyber threats targeting water facilities across the country, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures.

The event featured over 30 cybersecurity leaders from state and local governments, including CISOs from California, Texas, New York, and Maryland, among others. Federal cybersecurity leaders, such as the CISO of the Department of Education and the deputy national cyber director for strategy and budget, also participated in the summit.

Overall, the summit underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local entities to address evolving cybersecurity threats and protect critical infrastructure from malicious actors.