Cyber security in the Poconos | Howard J. Grossman
The words "cyber security" are more and more being heard across this nation and in this region. The threat of cyber is running rampant and is a large scale problem across the nation, as well as the Pocono-Northeast.
It includes identity theft, worms and viruses, loss of sensitive information and many other forms of malicious activity. It affects government, the private sector, and the nonprofit sector, therefore, all forms of community and economic development and can impact the economy of a local government, county government, region and the domestic and international community.
Think of the database that exists in the form of social security, tax filings, birth and death records, driver information, medical sources, and a plethora of other data that is important to the individual, the family, the role that we all play in our lifetimes. Technology is critical and affects national security and a wide range of key elements that prove to be vital to the interests of this nation and its level of governmental areas.
With the growth of smart phones, advanced computers, laptops. The need exists to protect security in a growing digital world. It has led to hackers who interfere with how we operate technologically across this region, for example, to sell illicit goods and stealing personally identifiable information. Ransomware has increased and impacted the aviation industry as it has other forms of commerce.
The need exists to find ways to prevent these occurrences and to prevent phishing and other attacks against people, entities, health care, education and other critical components that are key to community life.
It is no longer just a sophisticated function but has grown to be widespread in targeting organizations and therefore standard operating groups. It finds its way to companies that are hired as secondary forces to businesses and governments as well as the nonprofit community.
There is a need to utilize the role of state government to help local governments and private organizations respond to cybersecurity measures that can assist in combatting steps that relate to the negativity of protecting security arrangements.
It needs to become a practice that is better prepared against cyber negatives that have grown exponentially in this region and nationally.
Here are a few steps that should be utilized.
Elevate this topic to high priority in this region and prepare a plan against cyber negatives across our regional geography.
Develop ways to utilize national organizations such as the Center for Internet Security.
Study the potential for cyber insurance where appropriate.
Develop ways to protect key components such as utilities, and other critical systems that could be reached by those intending to use cyber in a negative way.
Have joint features where geography allows this to occur between states, local governments, chambers of commerce, regional development entities, and other entities allow this to happen.Prepare guideposts that can be instituted such as reporting incidents, modernizing defenses, and other techniques that can be implements accordingly to prevent attacks on security and make sure that the Pocono-Northeast is creating a network of ways to meet the needs now and in the future.…Howard J. Grossman, AICP operates his own consulting company, HJG Associates, in Pittston, PA. He has a Master of Public Administration from New York University. He served as Executive Director of the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania (EDCNEPA). He may be contacted at grossmanhj@aol.com.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Opinion: Guard against cyber attacks in the Pocono Northeast
