SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, adding “cyberterrorism” to the list of conditions that constitute a state of emergency under the California Emergency Services Act.
“It’s essential that we have the tools necessary to defend our state from cyberterrorism and to assist in recovery efforts,” Senator Dodd said. “I want to thank Gov. Brown for calling out this threat and protecting Californians from the loss that could result from attacks on private institutions and public services.”
Gov. Brown signed Senate Bill 532 late yesterday. It authorizes the governor to respond quickly, allocating resources to ensure public safety and safeguard property, similar to what happens in an earthquake, wildfire or other natural disaster. The bill won overwhelming support in the Assembly and Senate and was backed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
According to the California Military Department, the state’s size and importance makes it vulnerable to cyberterrorism. “Hacktivists,” nation-states, and other terrorist threat groups are attacking government networks to steal sensitive information and make political or economic statements. They could interrupt services and infrastructure, private businesses, or pose a threat to national security.
“Cyberterrorism has emerged as a serious threat to our financial institutions, public infrastructure and more,” said David Livingston, Contra Costa County sheriff and vice president of the California State Sheriffs Association. “It is important that we work with our state partners to protect against this new peril and I applaud Governor Brown and Senator Dodd for putting this important safeguard on the books.”
Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.
