Expert witnesses from key government agencies attended a hearing Slotkin chaired in Michigan to share advice and resources on protecting personal data from cyber attacks
On Tuesday, June 28, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin brought her Congressional Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism to Michigan for a field hearing that focused on how local officials, school administrators and business owners can protect themselves against cyber attacks.
Along with the field hearing, Slotkin also led two roundtable discussions that brought Michiganders together with experts from Michigan State Police, the U.S. Secret Service, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Local government officials as well as business owners, community leaders, school administrators and farmers attended the three events, which were all aimed at providing resources and expert guidance directly to Michiganders.
“Ransomware has become very much a kitchen-table issue for us,” Slotkin said in her opening remarks. “It affects the people and organizations we rely on every day. Our schools – particularly our K-12 schools – our small businesses, our hospitals … and others like our farmers have been threatened by and have even fallen victim to ransomware attacks … It’s an issue that I think really lives in this Venn Diagram of national security issues and local issues, and it’s something that people are rightly concerned about.”
Attendees from across the 8th District praised the resources and best practices shared by the expert witnesses.
Kristoffer Tobbe, chief information office for Livingston County, said the information at the hearing will help local governments.
“By shining the light on ransomware, it creates greater awareness to help fight cyber criminals and their tactics,” Tobbe said. “By sharing federal and state resources available to local agencies & leaders to address cyber crimes the Committee is helping governments and businesses to come together to fight cyber criminals.”
Pinckney Village Council President Rebecca Foster said she gained a new understanding of resources available.
“I hope the agencies represented can do a better job at reaching out to the truly small municipalities and businesses that have little to no technical sophistication and are perhaps more vulnerable to cyber attacks because of that,” Foster said.
“Connecting with local, state, and federal agencies is the best way to stretch the limited resources of local government, and discussions like this are an excellent opportunity to hear and be heard,” said Ryan Madis, Ortonville Village Manager. “I appreciate the conversation and the support we receive from Congresswoman Slotkin’s team to enhance cybersecurity and to stay up to date with fellow organizations.”
You can watch the full hearing HERE.
