STATEHOUSE (July 12, 2023) – State Rep. Chris Judy's (R-Fort Wayne) legislation creating a cyber civilian corps to help Indiana fight damaging and costly cyberattacks is now law.
House Enrolled Act 1266 establishes the Indiana Cyber Civilian Corps Program Advisory Board, which will make recommendations to lawmakers on forming and deploying a cyber civilian corps. The task force will include volunteers with cybersecurity backgrounds who can respond to cyberattacks on state and local government.
"Sensitive and confidential information is housed at all levels of government, and Hoosiers deserve and expect their privacy to protected," Judy said. "It's essential that we do everything we can to make sure we safeguard this data so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
It's not just government that's often targeted by cyber criminals, Judy said. In 2021, both Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis and Columbus Regional Health were hit with ransomware attacks. Both had to shut down their computer systems and divert ambulances to other facilities. According to a report from WRTV in Indianapolis, last year Indiana school districts were targets of more than 40 cyberattacks.
Judy's bill puts the cyber civilian corps under the Indiana Adjutant General's jurisdiction. Task force members can be deployed to quickly respond to cyberattacks. Volunteers would undergo a criminal background check and receive certain liability protections.
"With so much of our critical infrastructure being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, establishing this task force will provide much-needed assistance for communities," Judy said. "Other states have created cyber civilian corps, and having one in Indiana is another line of defense against these crimes."
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about this and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 83,
which includes portions of Allen and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
