Manning Joins Senate Colleagues in Vote to Improve Protections Against Cyber Attacks
Bill Creates the Ohio Cyber Reserve, A New Division of the Ohio National Guard
October 10, 2019
Nathan H. Manning News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) yesterday joined his Senate Colleagues in approving House changes to Amended Senate Bill 52, which will create the Ohio Cyber Reserve—a new division of the Ohio National Guard that specializes in cybersecurity.
"This will be a great opportunity for many of the cyber security professionals in our communities to collaborate on new and innovative ways to keep us safe from cyber attacks," said Manning, who co-sponsored the legislation. "The Ohio National Guard has a long history of defending our nation and state from any adversary, and this new division will be a great tool to improve our ability to combat the growing cyber threat in a continually dangerous world."
The new force will consist of qualified, civilian cybersecurity experts and maintain regional Cyber Response Teams capable of deterring, mitigating and remedying cyber attacks against our local governments, businesses, critical infrastructure and citizens.
Additionally, the bill includes stronger auditing requirements that will ensure the accuracy and integrity of elections while also giving Ohioans increased confidence when submitting a ballot.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), has the support of Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Adjutant General John Harris and the Ohio Association of Election Officials, a bipartisan organization representing employees of county boards of elections.
“Almost daily we hear about another government or business that was attacked by cyber hackers,” Gavarone said. “This legislation is going to allow Ohio to fight back against hackers so that our citizens will be better protected from their devastating attacks.”
Senate Bill 52 will now go to Governor DeWine for his consideration.
"This will be a great opportunity for many of the cyber security professionals in our communities to collaborate on new and innovative ways to keep us safe from cyber attacks," said Manning, who co-sponsored the legislation. "The Ohio National Guard has a long history of defending our nation and state from any adversary, and this new division will be a great tool to improve our ability to combat the growing cyber threat in a continually dangerous world."
The new force will consist of qualified, civilian cybersecurity experts and maintain regional Cyber Response Teams capable of deterring, mitigating and remedying cyber attacks against our local governments, businesses, critical infrastructure and citizens.
Additionally, the bill includes stronger auditing requirements that will ensure the accuracy and integrity of elections while also giving Ohioans increased confidence when submitting a ballot.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), has the support of Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Adjutant General John Harris and the Ohio Association of Election Officials, a bipartisan organization representing employees of county boards of elections.
“Almost daily we hear about another government or business that was attacked by cyber hackers,” Gavarone said. “This legislation is going to allow Ohio to fight back against hackers so that our citizens will be better protected from their devastating attacks.”
Senate Bill 52 will now go to Governor DeWine for his consideration.