relationships with our county and our local governments so that we can continue to provide the safe, resilient and affordable New York that we think has really made New York the cultural, financial, and economic center that it remains,” he said.
According to Ahern, Hochul has been vocal and active in her efforts to improve cybersecurity in New York.
Last month, the governor signed new legislation that will require anyone working with a computer in a state, city, county, or district government office in the state of New York to take cybersecurity awareness training. The law will also mandate state government offices that are victims of cyberattacks to report the incidents to the state’s homeland security office within 72 hours, and ransomware payments within 24 hours, among other provisions.
Last week, Hochul also announced new proposed legislation to start a new grant program for water and wastewater organizations with the goal of helping them fund upgrades that they will have to come up with to comply with upcoming regulations.
Ahern told TechCrunch that the state government is opening a new office in New York City to be staffed with several technologists, including cybersecurity personnel. Ahern said he hopes to recruit some who lost their jobs because of the Trump administration.
“DOGE says you’re fired. New York says you’re hired,” said Ahern, referring to the government’s public slogan for this hiring effort.
