On July 10, 2015, Governor Malloy signed into law Special Act No. 15-21 – An Act Establishing Strategic Partnerships in Cybersecurity. The Connecticut legislation directs the Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development, to conduct an analysis of the state’s cybersecurity sector. Specific objectives expressly required to be included within the analysis are identifying public and private industry stakeholders that utilize cybersecurity professionals and  barriers to the expansion of cybersecurity initiatives in the state.

The analysis is to be completed by October 1, 2015. After the analysis is submitted to certain joint committees of the General Assembly, a forum is to be convened on cybersecurity initiatives by  December 1, 2015. The legislation then requires the Department of Economic and Community Development to submit a plan for growth of the cybersecurity sector by February 1, 2016. The plan is to include policy recommendations to support the growth of the cybersecurity sector, identify market opportunities and best practices for such expansion and how to advise the state’s public schools to prepare students for employment in area of cybersecurity.

This legislation is another example of Connecticut’s recent focus on combating cybersecurity threats. We will keep you advised of compliance initiatives resulting from this legislation.

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