Michigan Aims to Lead in Cybersecurity

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has launched the Michigan Cyber Initiative to protect the state from cybersecurity attacks. He also announced that the state would form a Michigan Cyber Defense Response Team to advise state leaders. Eric Frederick, Connect Michigan’s program manager was in attendance at the Michigan Cyber Summit 2011 hosted by the Governor today.

“Cyber attacks are the largest threat to our national security," said Gov. Snyder. "I’m a victim. My family and I have been a victim of cyber crime. If you think about it, it’s probably the most pervasive single crime in this country. Most of us have been a victim in some fashion."

Joining in the Michigan Cyber Summit were U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Howard Schmidt, White House cybersecurity coordinator and special assistant to the president; and U.S. Reps. John Dingell, Mike Rogers, and Hansen Clarke. The event served as the national launch of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

“The Information and communications systems and infrastructure we use are a national treasure and asset,” said Schmidt. “We all need to do our part to keep ourselves safe in cyberspace.”

“What's happening in the digital world is impacting the physical world,” said Napolitano. "Each of us must stop and think before we connect," she said. "The urgency here is real, the need is great, the threats exist."