A code is displayed at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas last year. Michigan has created a volunteer cybersecurity team to mobilize if a massive cyberattack strikes the state.
© Getty Images
Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill into law that will expand the reach of a highly trained group of volunteer cybersecurity experts from the public and private sectors.
The volunteer team, called the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps, MiC3, has been around for three years, but has never been deployed because it could only be activated if the governor declared a state of cyber emergency, which hasn’t happened.
With the new law, called the Cyber Civilian Corps Act, the team is now designated in statute and doesn’t need a state of emergency to be called into action. That means it can step in, when requested, and provide technical assistance if the state gets hit by a cyberattack or data breach. The law also broadens the team’s reach to allow it to help local governments, nonprofits and businesses across the state.
The new law, which became effective Thursday, requires that corps volunteers undergo criminal background and FBI checks. It also includes a good Samaritan clause, which provides them with civil immunity if they give advice or make a decision that inadvertently causes harm.
Michigan officials hope the volunteer corps of cybersecurity experts from government, education and private industry, which is believed to be the first such group in the U.S., can serve as a national model. They liken it to volunteer firefighters.
State information technology officers are increasingly concerned about sophisticated efforts to breach their systems. In recent years, hackers and cybercriminals have relentlessly targeted state and local government networks, which contain information such as Social Security, bank account and credit card numbers on millions of people and businesses.
Michigan’s new Cyber Civilian Corps, a rapid response team of volunteers, will assist the state and industries during a major cybersecurity incident.
Gov. Rick Snyder, who announced the creation of the Corps, describes the team as a “Cyber National Guard.” State Chief Information Officer David Behen, in an interview with Information Security Media Group (transcript below), says the corps, to be deployed in late spring, will include volunteers from government, education and business.
Behen says the Cyber Civilian Corps will be used to respond to cyber-attacks against the private and public sector in Michigan. He provides the following example:
If a county finds itself under a cyber-attack, the county CIO would reach out to the Michigan Cyber-Command Center or Behen, who would determine the severity and scope of the attack.
“If we needed the Cyber Civilian Corps, we would call them up,” Behen says. “We would work with the [impacted organization] and bring our corps in to assist them in responding to the cyber-attack.”
https://www.csoonline.com/article/2360732/security-leadership/the-michigan-cyber-civilian-corps-like-a-volunteer-fire-department-for.html
Back at the Michigan Cyber Summit in October 2013, Governor Rick Snyder announced our new government plan for a: “Rapid response team that would assist the state and industries across Michigan during a major cyber incident.”
The idea was to create a volunteer group of cyber experts who could train together, hone their skills in cybersecurity exercises and be ready to assist the state government in the event a cyber-emergency of “state significance.” (More on what that might look like later.)
Well the cutting-edge concept has become reality, with the official launch of the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps (MiC3) last week. The MiC3 website is live at: http://www.micybercorps.org. This blog will cover some of the basics of the problem and why we developed this particular solution.
First, there has been plenty of local coverage our launch, including this Detroit article and news coverage extended all the way to Miami, Florida.
SOM – CYBERSECURITY
http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-78403_78404—,00.html
- The Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps (MiC3) is a group of trained cybersecurity experts who volunteer to provide expert assistance to enhance the State’s ability to rapidly resolve cyber incidents when activated under a Governor declared State of Emergency. The group includes volunteers from government, education, and business sectors.
Michigan Governor Snyder Releases New Cyber Initiative for Next
http://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/Michigan-Governor-Snyder-Releases-New-Cyber-Initiative-for-Next-Four-Years.html
The North American International Cyber Summit was held in Detroit this past week, and there were plenty of important cybersecurity messages that apply to governments, businesses, families and schools all across America.
Speakers came from all over the world, and I was surprised to meet an attendee who even came in from Alaska. So what were main messages coming out of this event, and what can be shared as a model for other organizations?
Key Summit Messages
Speaker themes included:
• Information and intellectual property are falling victim to cybercrime at alarming rates, the status quo is untenable.
• We need to follow a risk management approach for cybersecurity.
• Redesign of security is needed – the old ways are not working (well enough). This includes changes for people, process and technology.
• We don’t need to stifle innovation, to implement effective cyberprograms.
• Maintaining technological advantages requires capital investment to protect critical infrastructures. Threats are real and compelling.
• Physical and cybersecurity are closely connected and must work together in new ways. Many case studies and solutions were offered.
• Cyberexercises are important to test defenses. The Michigan Cyber Range offered a global example for all to see.
Governor Snyder’s Keynote
It’s been a good month for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
First, he was re-elected to a second four-year term.
Second, just a few days later, Detroit emerged from bankruptcy.
Third, Snyder was the only governor named as one of Governing magazine’s Public Officials of the Year.
And then, before embarking on his fourth trade mission to China, he was the host of the newly named North American International Cyber Summit in Detroit.
He borrowed the name from the North American International Auto Show held each January at the same (newly renovated) Cobo Center. The first two Michigan Cyber Summits in 2011 and 2013 were more Great-Lakes-centric and held outside Detroit.
Gov. Snyder started by describing how technology impacts every area of our lives. Telling personal stories from his experience, Snyder brought home what is at stake for our way of life. From children at home playing games to advanced robotics competitions in high schools to protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure (such as utilities running the power grid), there are constant cyberattacks against our families, businesses, schools and governments.
“I will help lead the nation’s governors in cybersecurity. But I need your help…. Our vision from four years ago isn’t good enough today. We need to consistently review and update as technology evolves. Bringing together national thought leaders at forums such as this is critical to ensuring a safe and secure cyberenvironment.”
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