State lawmakers advocate for enhanced cyber security in higher education

TLDR:

• State lawmakers are pushing for a 24/7 security hub to prevent cyber attacks at higher education institutions in Michigan.
• The security operations center will help public colleges and universities monitor and respond to network breaches effectively.

A 24/7 protection hub is being proposed by state lawmakers in Michigan to prevent cyber attacks at higher education institutions. The security operations center aims to help public colleges and universities monitor and respond to network breaches effectively. With cyber attacks posing a growing threat and causing costly interruptions to critical operations, the establishment of this center is crucial for enhancing cybersecurity measures in the state.

Tom Holt, a cybersecurity expert and criminal justice professor at Michigan State University, emphasized the importance of this initiative for higher education institutions. He highlighted the varying impacts of cyber attacks on these institutions, with incidents like ransomware attacks and data breaches potentially costing millions of dollars in damages.

The security operations center will be funded by participating members’ dues, and if approved, the services will be extended to public schools, community colleges, and libraries in Michigan. This centralized approach will ensure more consistent and effective security operations across the board, benefiting institutions with varying resources and capacities.

The proposal has been referred to the committee for appropriations, indicating progress towards establishing a dedicated hub for combatting cyber security threats in the higher education sector. By implementing this security operations center, Michigan aims to fortify its public universities and colleges against evolving cyber threats and safeguard critical operations against potential disruptions.