Priya Patel
TLDR:
– FBI El Paso office invites businesses to join InfraGard for national infrastructure protection
– InfraGard brings together businesses from 16 sectors to collaborate and protect against attacks
Article Summary:
The FBI El Paso office is encouraging borderland businesses to join InfraGard, a collaborative initiative aimed at protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure. Businesses from various sectors such as cyber, financial, agriculture, energy, and utilities come together to defend against foreign, criminal, and cyber attacks. Special Agent Walter Boyle emphasized the importance of safeguarding the cyber sector, which is interconnected with all other critical areas.
Boyle highlighted that cyber attacks often stem from foreign governments, criminal organizations, or groups seeking financial gain. The President of InfraGard’s El Paso Chapter, Bea Santana-Gaskins, discussed the benefits of membership in the program, including access to an information bulletin board, collaboration opportunities, and educational sessions.
To join InfraGard, individuals must be U.S. citizens, 18 years or older, and employed. The initiative currently boasts 40,000 members and provides valuable resources to help businesses protect themselves. InfraGard, originally a cyber-focused initiative in the 90s, has expanded over the years to encompass various infrastructure sectors.
Interested individuals can participate in an open enrollment webinar on May 7 to learn more about joining InfraGard. Additionally, upcoming sessions will address topics like AI’s impact on the political landscape and cyber security in October, recognized as Cyber Security month.
