Hudson Valley Cyber Security Summit set for June 18th at Marist College
POUGHKEEPSIE – From repairs to ransom fees, the average cost of a cybersecurity incident in the public sector is $2.6 million, according to a 2023 IBM report.
To help those in the public sector avoid a cyber-attack, Dutchess County’s Office of Central and Information Services (OCIS), is hosting its third annual Hudson Valley Cyber Security Summit from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th at Marist College’s Student Center.
“Cyber-readiness is always evolving, so it is critical to not only have a cyber security plan but to continually revisit it and learn about new technologies to stay ahead of potential threats,” said Dutchess County OCIS Commissioner Stephen Oscarlece. “By knowing what threats are out there as technology continues to evolve, as well as what tools are available, public-sector organizations can be better prepared for and protect against possible cyber security attacks and maintain citizens’ trust.”
Suffolk County is still recovering from the impacts of a 2022 ransomware attack demanding $2.5 million that forced the county government offline for weeks. On Tuesday, the City of Newburgh announced that it was navigating through a network security breach that shut down some services. According to the 2023 Data Breach Investigation Report, 74 percent of all cyber security breaches include the human element, where employees are targeted through malicious tactics such as stolen login credentials or social engineering.
At the Dutchess County event, experts including representatives from private sector industry leaders, as well as New York State and Federal Government agencies, will discuss topics such as how quickly a cyber-attack can disrupt an organization, how artificial intelligence (AI) is used and budget-conscious resources available to help improve cybersecurity programs.
The Summit is free for those working in or with the public sector. Registration and a complimentary networking breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. Registration is required in advance by Monday, June 17th, and is available at DutchessNY.gov/CyberSummit. For more information, please contact the Dutchess County Office of Central & Information Services at 845-486-2450, email HVCyberSummit@dutchessny.gov, or visit DutchessNY.gov.
