InfoHive – Data Security

What’s happening? Since 2019, WI has been expending state funds to expand the state broadband network. The numbers:

• $28.4 million already awarded
• 39 counties
• $48 million in second round funding
• 58 projects to reach 6,159 businesses and 106,000 homes

Why is this important? States and cities are all looking to expand broadband access and there’s a lot of COVID funding available.

How will this be important? This ongoing project with ongoing funding is going to be an extended procurement opportunity

Wisconsin State Journal | PSC awards $28.4 million to expand high-speed internet in 39 counties

What’s happening? Oklahoma is considering HB 1759 (2021 | OK) that adds ransomware to prohibited computer related crimes

Why is this important? For enforcement purposes the question is whether your jurisdiction has laws that cover the kind of cyber crime which has led to states including ransomware in their cyber crimes statutes

How will this be important? The FBI has seen an increase in cybercrime reports of 400% since March 2020

The Oklahoman via Governing | Oklahoma Votes to Outlaw Ransomware as Threats Grow

What’s happening? Apple will follow the same rules its developers must to label apps with privacy labels.

Why is this important? It is said Apple doesn’t police the developer disclosures. And, perhaps we’ll get to that point within the private business or via regulatory or legislative means.

How will this be important? Data privacy on a big tech level from ad- sales to user policies is front and center for legislation and legal challenges. It’s not going anywhere.

Computer World | Apple lives by its own privacy rules

What’s happening? HB7013 (2021 | FL) would allow Florida to prevent social media platforms from banning candidates for office. State and local governments would also be banned from doing business with any company in violation of anti-trust laws.

Why is this important? By this account there are many people banned from social media, and ride share that reside in Florida. I’m sticking to my neutral Swedish roots, and not going there.

How will this be important? Free Market types are regulating private businesses because they don’t like that the private businesses prohibit racism. What happens it the post signs, no shoes, no shirt no racism, no service? Would that work?

Orlando Sentinel | Florida GOP bill targeting ‘Big Tech’ social media moves forward despite constitutionality concerns

What’s happening? Just when you thought you understood bitcoin and cryptocurrency now it’s time to learn about NFTs, non-fungible tokens. NFTs, they are unique and they represent unique stuff like  artwork or a video file or a text file or a JPEG or pretty much any digital thing that’s non-fungible. Then you set up a wallet and go trade your NFTs.

Why is this important? It is estimated that 1 NFT takes about 130 kilowatt hours to mint.

How will this be important? Some say as NFTS grow, there is an impact to the environment.

WBBM | Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): the basics, including environmental impact

What’s happening? A pilot program overseen by the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security at the University of Texas at San Antonio is here to help local governments be better prepared for hackers.

Why is this important? Local officials will be guided to  identify high value assets to better prioritize improvements to information technology infrastructure. Local Governments will also be aided to identify if they have staff that is certified and trained when. hack occurs.

How will this be important? Creative financing of data security for local governments are being proposed that would allow local governments to pool resources to address data security. Could pooling resources help other technical issues as well?

Route Fifty | New Project Aims to Identify Local Government Assets at Risk of Cyberattack

What’s happening? Delaware has adopted a digital ID. With a state produced App, a person takes a photo of the front and back of a drivers license, and then of their face. The App is then unlocked by finger print or Face ID.

Why is this important? A digital ID allows a person to keep parts of their driver’s license hidden, such as your home address.

How will this be important? It is more secure, is easy to use and offers privacy controls. Delaware is one of the first states to adopt this new technology. IA, DE, OK, CO, MD, ID, WY were early adopters of this new technology. Let’s watch it spread.

Governing | Delaware Will Soon Launch Digital Driver License Option

What’s happening? Washington State is considering HB 1127 (2021 | WA) that would protect the COVID data that has been collected and assembled by a number of entities tracking the pandemic.

Why is this important? This is a big test for protecting health care data and public health. The bill would limit the use of the non-identified data for health uses only. The bill also exempts COVID related data from Open Records statutes.

How will this be important? There’s going to be another pandemic, and laying the groundwork on how health care data is used, collected and stored will be an ingoing question for policy makers.

Queen Anne and Magnolia News | Washington House passes bill to protect COVID-19 personal data 

What’s happening? Utah is considering HB 80 (2021 | UT) that would create an affirmative defense for businesses that keep their data protection up to date. There is no liability protection if the company acts negligently.

Why is this important? Utah’s approach is different from OH that provided as long as businesses follow certain standards, then the business is protected from liability unless they acted grossly negligent.

How will this be important? Companies hold a lot of personal data information. Some Companies are calling for property rights in our data. Some Companies want greater access to out data.

Fox 13 | Utah lawmakers look to back data privacy, criminalize ‘catfishing’

What’s happening? FEMA is increasing the allocation of grants for cybersecurity funding from 5% to 7.5% + DHS is eyeing new grant programs, administered through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, to support state and local government cybersecurity upgrades

Why is this important? Cybersecurity incidents on local governments and state governments have increased and continue to increase year over year.

How will this be important? Cybersecurity issues are not waning.

Route Fifty | Feds Up Share of FEMA Grants That Must Be Spent on Cybersecurity