Cyber-crime is the top risk to national security, Gov. Rick Snyder told information technology experts, government officials and business professionals from around the globe who gathered recently for the North American International Cyber Summit in Detroit.
More than 800 people attended the event, the largest turnout in the four-year history of the event.
"Cyber-crime is one of the greatest threats facing businesses and families in the 21st century," Snyder said. "Protecting sensitive data and online interactions is a critical issue that affects our homes, our workplaces and our schools. It will take the combined efforts of the public and private sectors to stay in front of the ever-increasing threats to our economy and our way of life."
Snyder unveiled the recently completed Michigan Cyber Disruption Response Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for organizing a rapid response in the event of a significant cyber disturbance. The plan includes strategies for information sharing, criminal investigation, response and recovery from a significant disruption to Michigan's critical infrastructure. Utilizing the plan's strategies, public and private sector organizations can collaborate in response to cyber threats as they are detected, mitigating the potential for prolonged disruptions.
"Gov. Snyder showed great foresight in making cybersecurity a top priority early in his first term," DTMB Director and State Chief Information Officer David Behen said. "While the national discussion about the need to protect sensitive information and infrastructure has greatly increased with recent high-profile breaches, Michigan has spent the past five years shoring up our defenses and developing strategies to keep up with the evolving threats."
National and international experts joining Snyder at the summit were Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson; Major General Reynold N. Hoover, director of intelligence and command for the chief of the National Guard Bureau; Ben Cotton, president and CEO of CyTech Services; Amir Becker, director of cyber cooperation for the Embassy of Israel; Barbara McQuade, U.S. attorney with the Eastern District of Michigan; Beth Niblock, Detroit chief information officer; along with numerous other information technology experts.
Additional information about Michigan's cybersecurity efforts and a link to the Michigan Cyber Disruption Response Plan can be found at www.michigan.gov/cybersecurity.
Published: Mon, Nov 02, 2015
