InfoHive – Data Security

What is happening? In 2018, West Virginia ran a pilot program testing blockchain to secure voting. Alaska in 2021 proposed legislation, SB 39 (2021 | AK) to build its voting system around blockchain which is considered more tamper proof.

Why is this important? The security of blockchain could also be useful for state issued IDs and for DAOs, Decentralized autonomous organizations

How will this be important? State government isn’t known for expedited adoption of new technology.

West Virginia Secretary of State | Under the Hood Blockchain Voting Pilot

What is happening? Miami Coin has netted the city $5.25 million in revenue but investors not so much as the crypto’s value has fallen.

Why is this important? The city is using the revenue to fund subsidies for low-income residents. 

How will this be important? NYCCoin isn’t faring better, having fallen from close to half a cent at the beginning of February to about a quarter of a cent

Wall Street Journal | MiamiCoin Gets Off to a Rocky Start

What is happening? Crypto Miner, Marathon Holdings is  is cutting the cord with Hardin Generating Station in Montana , because it must be carbon neutral by 2023.

Why is this important? “The Congressional Research Service put the amount of electricity going to crypto mining at 7,670 megawatts in 2019, the equivalent of more than five Colstrip Power Plants.”

How will this be important? This crypto was featured in national publications for being a way to salvage coal generating plants.

KPVI 6 | Crypto miner plans to exit Hardin coal-fired power plant

What is happening? Cyber security insurance rates are rising. Cities re reporting that they are paying twice the cost for half the coverage.

Why is this important? According to a survey 69% of cities have more expensive policies than last year. For the pooled Maryland Local Government Insurance Trust, premiums rose 300%

How will this be important? The Russian invasion of the Ukraine will also test policy clauses that  “war exclusion” and “hostile act exclusion” language in the policies

Route Fifty | Governments Confront Rising Cyber Insurance Rates

What is happening? Houston, Austin, Irving, Rowlett and Beaumont have asked the AG to allow them to seek franchise fees from internet streamers. rlington, Grand Prairie, Allen, Amarillo, Sugar Land, Mesquite, Dallas, Plano, Waco, Abilene, Carrollton, Frisco and Garland are all currently pursuing streaming tax via the existing franchise fees.

Why is this important? Cable franchise fees have been decreasing with streaming. Gotta get the revenue.

How will this be important? Are we defining these internet streamers as utilities….

SE Texas Record | Houston, Austin and three other Texas cities seek AG approval to sue streamers over franchise fees

What is happening? South Dakota Governor is directing $1.25 million for state universities to collaborate to form an agriculture cybersecurity partnership.

Why is this important? The predominant agriculture cybersecurity threat is far equipment which are connected to the internet, and become part of the internet of things.

How will this be important? Not only does farm equipment give access to fertilizer, which comprised the OKC bombing, but also could give access to changing the chemical structure and wipe out a crop.

Government Technology | South Dakota Universities Partner on Agriculture Cybersecurity

What is happening? A survey by HelpSystems asked how cybersecurity changed after COVID.

Why is this important? 53% of respondents said cyber threats were worse after COVID

How will this be important? These concerns are ratcheting up again with Russia’s invasion into the Ukraine.

BankInfoSecurity | How Has COVID-19 Changed CISO Approach to Data Security?

What is happening? Mobile Alabama adopted ShotSpotter, an auditory gunshot detection technology in an effort to reduce gun violence.

Why is this important? Mobile is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for the contract that uses audio detection technology to pinpoint where gunshots occur.

How will this be important? City Council added protections limiting long term use and prohibiting data collection. Technology can only be used where people have no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Governing | Mobile’s Gun Violence Reduction Plan Sparks Surveillance Concerns

What is happening? Massachusetts Facial Recognition Commission released its recommendations this week and placed the responsibility to use facial recognition software with the State Police.

Why is this important? Other limits recommended include no algorithms concerning detectable emotions & requiring probable cause that the person committed a felony.

How will this be important? Massachusetts got tot his point by creating a commission in a 2020 police reform bill that created the commission.

Governing | Massachusetts Commission Sets Facial Recognition Guidelines

What is happening? 8 months after the state Legislature approved a ban on facial recognition software by law enforcement agencies, the Virginia Legislature approved use of facial recognition software by law enforcement. SB 741 (2022 | VA )

Why is this important? The bill authorizes certain uses like identifying witnesses, investigating sexual trafficking crimes, unidentified bodies in morgues, and  identify an individual when they have reasonable suspicion that the person committed a crime

How will this be important? To correct for misidentifications any facial recognition software used must “National Institute of Standards and Technology and have an accuracy rating of at least 98% across all demographic groups”

AP | Virginia lawmakers OK lifting ban on facial technology use