Protecting sensitive data and online interactions is a critical issue that affects families, K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, businesses, government, utilities, and public safety. Just as we saw with the recent Equifax breach, nearly everyone is a potential target for cyber threats. This is why I have made Michigan’s cybersecurity a top priority. As a national leader on cybersecurity, Michigan plays a vital role in identifying, protecting and responding to cyber threats that could significantly impact our individual and collective security and privacy.
In 2013, I hosted the North American International Cyber Summit for my second time, where I announced a plan for a cyber civilian corps to assist Michigan and industries across the state during a major cyber incident. A pilot group was launched in May 2014, and on Oct. 26, 2017, I signed legislation codifying the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps, or MiC3.
Under this new legislation, the MiC3 is now a statutory entity with a formalized process for becoming a member and being deployed. But more important, MiC3 members are now afforded the same immunity given to state employees and volunteers in Michigan’s Governmental Liability for Negligence Act while providing assistance during times of emergency.
Representing partnerships between state government, the National Guard, and other public and private entities, MiC3 is composed of cybersecurity experts who, after undergoing criminal history and record checks, tests and training, volunteer to provide expert assistance to enhance the state’s ability to rapidly resolve cyber incidents. The MiC3 has the important mission of creating and implementing a rapid response team under a governor-declared state of emergency to provide mutual aid response and assistance to the state of Michigan and industries across the state.
The new act authorizes the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) to appoint individuals with cybersecurity expertise to respond and assist individuals or entities experiencing a cybersecurity incident, and creates a process by which DTMB would deploy members to respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Just days after signing the bill into law, I had the opportunity to meet with MiC3 members and cyber security professionals from around the world at the 2017 cyber summit in Detroit, where I shared the act’s importance in strengthening Michigan’s cybersecurity. This group of good Samaritans will be an asset to our business community – especially for businesses that don’t have the capability to invest in cybersecurity – as well as the general public, who interface with these vulnerable business entities.
I’m proud of our efforts to build a safer, stronger cyber environment in Michigan, and this bill helps build on those efforts by boosting the network of experts who are ready to respond and assist should a cybersecurity threat occur. As we continue to lead the way in addressing cybersecurity awareness, preparedness and response, this act is essential to safeguarding the individuals who are central in our defense against cyber attacks.
Rick Snyder is the Governor of Michigan.