Two bills in the Nebraska legislature would provide millions of dollars in cybersecurity upgrades to the state.One would hire “ethical hackers,” where the state would pay an outside company to try to break into state agencies, cities, schools and even election infrastructure.”You know, it’s like Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. The space, the final frontier, well, this is a final frontier that we have to combat,” Sen. Loren Lippincott said.He’s not talking about space, but he is talking about technology and hackers. His first bill would spread $11 million across the state for cybersecurity upgrades.”It is a clear and present danger for all of us,” Lippincott said.Even for Midwestern farmers.Sam Hunter with UNO’s counter-terror group NCITE says with equipment being remotely controlled, hacking puts America’s breadbasket at risk. “And ultimately disrupt the supply chain and the critical infrastructure of agriculture,” Hunter said.He says Nebraska needs to stay ready, considering how fast technology is changing.”So it’s great to have the current capabilities that we have, but given the rise and trajectory, I would not be surprised that we need to increase our capability,” he said.Lippincott’s second bill would pay for the Nebraska State Patrol to hire ethical hackers.”Hire 10 of them. That was my only thought when I read that was just one? Yeah, get a team of folks to do it,” Hunter said. “And the idea is they can identify potential problems then turn around and say, I was able to do this, now go fix and patch that.”Those “good guy” hackers would test the cybersecurity of schools, cities and state agencies by trying to break in.Lippincott wants to go beyond that and test Nebraska’s election infrastructure.The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office says it partners with Homeland Security, the FBI and other national security agencies year-round, including presidential election years, to maintain and improve their current security protocols.”I think it’s only a good thing to add capabilities given how sensitive a lot of these topics are. The more confidence we can give the public in our elections, the better,” Hunter said.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
Two bills in the Nebraska legislature would provide millions of dollars in cybersecurity upgrades to the state.
One would hire “ethical hackers,” where the state would pay an outside company to try to break into state agencies, cities, schools and even election infrastructure.
“You know, it’s like Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. The space, the final frontier, well, this is a final frontier that we have to combat,” Sen. Loren Lippincott said.
He’s not talking about space, but he is talking about technology and hackers. His first bill would spread $11 million across the state for cybersecurity upgrades.
“It is a clear and present danger for all of us,” Lippincott said.
Even for Midwestern farmers.
Sam Hunter with UNO’s counter-terror group NCITE says with equipment being remotely controlled, hacking puts America’s breadbasket at risk.
“And ultimately disrupt the supply chain and the critical infrastructure of agriculture,” Hunter said.
He says Nebraska needs to stay ready, considering how fast technology is changing.
“So it’s great to have the current capabilities that we have, but given the rise and trajectory, I would not be surprised that we need to increase our capability,” he said.
Lippincott’s second bill would pay for the Nebraska State Patrol to hire ethical hackers.
“Hire 10 of them. That was my only thought when I read that was just one? Yeah, get a team of folks to do it,” Hunter said. “And the idea is they can identify potential problems then turn around and say, I was able to do this, now go fix and patch that.”
Those “good guy” hackers would test the cybersecurity of schools, cities and state agencies by trying to break in.
Lippincott wants to go beyond that and test Nebraska’s election infrastructure.
The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office says it partners with Homeland Security, the FBI and other national security agencies year-round, including presidential election years, to maintain and improve their current security protocols.
“I think it’s only a good thing to add capabilities given how sensitive a lot of these topics are. The more confidence we can give the public in our elections, the better,” Hunter said.
Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
