Sullivan implements state cybersecurity initiative

Sullivan County says it is the first county in New York state to “go live” with the New York State Security Operations Center located in Brooklyn. (NYSSOC). NYSSOC, which was dedicated on Feb. 22, 2022, is the first cyber command center built to provide a statewide view of cyber threats and improve coordination on threat intelligence and incident responses.

When the center was first opened, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “Technology runs our water, controls our electricity, and notifies us during an emergency, so cyber attacks have the ability to bring our entire city to a halt if we are not prepared. The new Joint Security Operations Center will take an integrated and holistic approach to hardening our cyber defenses across the city and the state.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul said at the time that the NYSSOC will serve as the epicenter for the state, counties and municipalities to defend themselves against cyber threats.

Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek said that the county becoming active with NYSSOC “marks a pivotal moment in bolstering the county and state’s cyber defense infrastructure and underscores Sullivan County’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens and digital assets.”

Lorne Green, commissioner of Sullivan’s Information Technology Services Division and chief information officer explained, “With the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks targeting public and private sectors alike, NYSSOC plays a vital role in ensuring the resilience of critical systems and networks across the state, including Sullivan County. This achievement underscores our commitment to the safety and security of our residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure. By collaborating with state and local partners, as well as the private sector, we are enhancing our collective resilience against ever-evolving cyber threats.”