By Samuel L. Bifulco
Cybersecurity attacks continue to plague Long Island businesses, municipalities, school districts, and non-profit organizations at an alarming rate. With society’s increased reliance on technology and a recent uptick in cyber threats around the world, it is imperative for private industry and municipal entities to adapt to the changing cyber landscape. According to Cybercrime Magazine out of Northport, New York, cybercrime damages will cost the world $10.5 trillion dollars annually by 2025.
As foreign actors and cybercriminals continue to execute more and more sophisticated cybercrimes, it is incumbent business and government leaders buy-in and deal with this veiled threat in earnest. The solution requires a multifaceted approach including not only investment in new technologies to protect operations and ensure business continuity, but also the education of employees on cyber hygiene, or best practice for users to improve and maintain online security.
Look no further than Long Island for numerous examples of cybersecurity and ransomware attacks which have crippled institutions from hospitals and schools to private industry and municipalities. Newsday recently reported the severe rise in cyber incidents adversely impacting our schools. In 2023, Long Island schools reported 35 cyber intrusions, up 52% from 2022. A school related attack disrupts operations and hinders the education of our school-aged children, and compromises personally identifiable information (PII) which could create a host of legal and security issues for our schools, families, and students.
Late last year, New York State announced proposed cybersecurity regulations for hospitals. The regulations, which would supplement the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), aim to strengthen critical infrastructure such as hospitals by requiring the establishment of a cybersecurity program. Hospitals would be required to implement measures to mitigate cyber risk and protect their information systems from malicious acts, develop incident response and business continuity plans for potential cybersecurity incidents, and enhance patient privacy and data protection capabilities. Legislation and regulatory oversight of cybersecurity, data privacy, and artificial intelligence are essential to overcoming the challenges posed by cyber risks.
Despite these concerns, institutions like St. Joseph’s University, with campuses in Patchogue and Brooklyn, have sought out creative ways to be at the forefront of cyber solutions. St. Joseph’s was recently awarded $754,000 in federal funding to construct a Cybersecurity Lab and the enhancement of other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) equipment at their Brooklyn campus in Clinton Hill. The lab will feature a computing lab, clustered workstations, and a highly secure, isolated network specifically geared towards cybersecurity instruction and training. In addition to educating students, the University plans to offer programming to members of the local community. The endeavor will support the Patchogue campus and community as well.
It is institutions like St. Joseph’s University, among others, that will be integral to effectuating the cyber safeguards necessary for our businesses, municipalities, and non-profits to thrive in the 21st century. With support from industry and municipal leaders, and the appropriate investment in technological tools and education, the Long Island region can stem the unabating cyber pandemic impacting our communities.
Sameul L. Bifulco is an Associate with Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano, PLLC. He obtained his B.S. from St. Joseph’s University, his M.A. from SUNY Stony Brook, and his J.D. from Touro Law Center. He practices in zoning and land use planning, real estate transactions, and commercial litigation. He is Bar-certified in the State of New York.
