North Dakota Cyber Security Task Force Releases its Report

 The North Dakota Information Technology Department looked into the state’s cyber security, and will give the report to Governor Dalrymple next week.

From what it sounds like, North Dakota’s cyber security is in pretty good shape compared to other states.

“I don’t think that as the task force did their work that we found our systems to be markedly different than what we see in other states,” says Director State of ND Information Technology Department Dan Sipes.

Sipes says the main area North Dakota can improve is better securing government web applications.

“What we want to do is kind of increase the pace at which with we get through and scan those applications and identify vulnerabilities before hackers do,” says Sipes.

The report also recommends a better strategy for response in case of a cyber–attack.

“How do we notify, who do we notify. Do we have enough laws in place to ensure that people who are impacted if there’s an incident are notified,” says Sipes.

Even though some areas need improvement, Sipes says it’s a good sign that they’re having these conversations.

“I think the take home should be, hey they’re having the right conversations and they’re aware of the situation and are prepared,” says Sipes.

Sipes says that even though the government holds most of the responsibility for its own cyber security, there are things that we can do to help prevent hacks.

He says hackers can use personal computers as leap frogs into other systems, so it’s important we take steps to keep our own computers safe.

“Using multi–factor authentication on more of your accounts like your Gmail accounts or your Yahoo accounts. Cyber security really is kind of everybody’s job to make sure their computing base isn’t used as a leap frog to do that,” says Sipes.

If we all do our part we can make it harder for hackers to launch cyber–attacks.

Sipes says it’s unlikely the state can act on all the recommendations due to state revenue short falls, but they’ve begun working on some of the recommendations.