State Rep. Rob Matzie introduced a bill Tuesday that aims to protect the state’s sensitive data by prohibiting state employees from using non-secured Internet connections while conducting state business.
“In this age of leaks and hacks, protecting the commonwealth’s sensitive data is of the utmost importance.”
“In this age of leaks and hacks, protecting the commonwealth’s sensitive data is of the utmost importance.”
“The rapid nature of technological advancements has made that a difficult task though. My legislation would offer better protection for our data with a simple solution,” Matzie, D-Ambridge, said in a news release.
According to Matzie, who represents communities in Beaver and Allegheny counties, there is currently no state law on the books. He said the use of unsecured connections could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information such as Social Security numbers.
“Commonwealth employees should not, either voluntarily or be forced by a superior, to use a non-secure transmission to complete a task,” Matzie said. “I am troubled that some employees, willful or not, may be sending sensitive, confidential data from a wireless transmission at a coffee shop, fast food restaurant or other location with free Wi-Fi. Employees should be furnished with adequate tools and training to complete their jobs in a secure manner.”
Matzie gave the recent data breach Target customers experienced over the holiday season as an example. More than 40 million debit and credit card accounts were stolen by cyber-thieves along with personal information for another 70 million people.
The bill, H.B. 2041, is currently awaiting consideration by the House.
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According to Matzie, who represents communities in Beaver and Allegheny counties, there is currently no state law on the books. He said the use of unsecured connections could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information such as Social Security numbers.
“Commonwealth employees should not, either voluntarily or be forced by a superior, to use a non-secure transmission to complete a task,” Matzie said. “I am troubled that some employees, willful or not, may be sending sensitive, confidential data from a wireless transmission at a coffee shop, fast food restaurant or other location with free Wi-Fi. Employees should be furnished with adequate tools and training to complete their jobs in a secure manner.”
Matzie gave the recent data breach Target customers experienced over the holiday season as an example. More than 40 million debit and credit card accounts were stolen by cyber-thieves along with personal information for another 70 million people.
The bill, H.B. 2041, is currently awaiting consideration by the House.
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
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