Bill to boost state government cybersecurity in New Mexico clears Senate floor | #hacking | #cybersecurity | #infosec | #comptia | #pentest | #ransomware | #hacking | #aihp

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Following several cybersecurity incidents at state government agencies, New Mexico lawmakers are looking to boost cybersecurity. Thursday, February 8, one bill to do so moved forward.

Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla (D-Abq.) and Rep. Debra Sariñana (D-Abq.), would require increased reporting of cybersecurity compliance at state government agencies and calls on the Cybersecurity Office to create and implement security rules agencies must follow. The bill co-sponsor says the bill is needed given recent threats.

“We did have a severe attack on the Regulation and Licensing Department,” Sen. Padilla told lawmakers when the bill was being discussed in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee last week. “As we all know, that one attack, by itself, wound up causing a dramatic affect on about two thirds of the businesses here in New Mexico that have some sort of a license.”

The bill made it through several rounds of debate over the last few weeks and received some changes along the way. But on Thursday, the bill received unanimous approval on the Senate floor. The idea still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.