(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced the launch of CyberOhio, a collection of cybersecurity initiatives aimed at helping Ohio businesses fight back against data security threats. The goal of CyberOhio, which DeWine announced at a news conference, is to help foster a legal, technical, and collaborative cybersecurity environment to help Ohio businesses thrive.
“When Ohio’s businesses are victimized by hackers, they can suffer millions of dollars in damage and place Ohio consumers at risk,” said Attorney General DeWine. “I believe by helping protect Ohio’s businesses, we also help protect the privacy and security of Ohio’s consumers.”
DeWine announced five initiatives the Attorney General’s Office would begin as part of CyberOhio:
- Creation of a Cybersecurity Advisory Board, composed of industry experts and business leaders. The Board will provide guidance for Attorney General’s Office initiatives on cybersecurity.
- Exploring draft legislation to improve the legal cybersecurity environment in Ohio for businesses and consumers.
- Cybersecurity training opportunities including a cybersecurity business summit to be held in the spring of 2017 and cybersecurity trainings for small businesses.
- Expanding the Ohio Attorney General’s Identity Theft Unit to assist businesses with cybersecurity and data privacy.
- Encourage more cybersecurity workforce personnel, including through the creation of collaborative internship opportunities between businesses and Ohio colleges and universities.
The Cybersecurity Advisory Board will be chaired by Kirk Herath, Vice-President and Chief Privacy Officer at Nationwide Financial Services. The Board will be holding its first meeting following the news conference announcing the initiatives. Other Board members include:
- Karen Chamberlain, Chief Information Officer, Western and Southern Financial Group
- Jason DeHaan, Chief Information Officer, Abercrombie & Fitch
- Robert Giacalone, Senior VP of Regulatory Affairs, Cardinal Health
- Candice Hoke, Co-Director, Center for Cyber Security and Privacy Protection, Cleveland State University College of Law.
- John Hrivnak, Director, Rev1 Labs
- Kathy Jobes, Chief Information Security Officer, OhioHealth
- Shawn Karasarides, VP-Corporate Counsel, The Wendy’s Company
- Bob Kozel, Chief Executive Officer, eInformatics
- Waylon Krush, Chief Executive Officer, Lunarline
- Helen Patton, Chief Information Security Officer, The Ohio State University
- Allen Perk, Chief Executive Officer, XLN Systems
- Stephen Polenski, Chief Information Security Officer, Battelle Memorial Institute
- Harry Raduege, Chairman, Center for Network Innovation, Deloitte
- Brian Ray, Co-Director, Center for Cyber Security and Privacy Protection, Cleveland State University College of Law.
- Matt Wald, President, Columbus Collaboratory
- David White, Chief Information Officer, Battelle Memorial institute
- Spence Witten, Director of Federal Sales, Lunarline
- Doug Young, System Administrator, United States Department of Energy
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