San Rafael, CA – With phishing and ransomware attacks on the rise, the County of Marin has created a new resource for local businesses and agencies to help
The Marin Security and Privacy Council (MSPC) was established as part of the Digital Marin Strategic Plan to facilitate the sharing of resources and best practices related to cybersecurity and digital privacy. The group is open to all public and private agencies in Marin, with the goal of increasing awareness and helping prevent cybersecurity incidents and breaches.
The Marin Security and Privacy Council is expanding to include private sector businesses. (Photo credit: Dan Nelson)“All members of the Marin community are potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, and many do not know what steps they can take to protect themselves,” said Jason Balderama, Chief Information Security Officer for the County of Marin. “Collaboration and information sharing have proven to be effective tools in combating these threats, and the County of Marin is happy to help others on the path to improving cybersecurity in their organizations.”
Membership is free and businesses can apply online on the Digital Marin Web Site. Benefits of joining MSPC include access to the County’s monthly security awareness newsletter for distribution to employees within the business, notifications from the County regarding active cyber threats, access to cybersecurity and digital privacy resources and templates, and the opportunity to engage in educational events and network with other MSPC members.
MSPC originally started as Marin Information Security Collaboration (MISC) and was limited to Marin’s towns, cities, and select community partners. As more businesses of all sizes are facing cybersecurity breaches, the County saw an opportunity to share its best practices to ensure a wider segment of Marin residents are protected.
Cybersecurity has become a national priority. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine emergency, and multiple ransomware attacks against government agencies, businesses, and individuals have highlighted the importance of keeping systems secure. In 2021, the federal Office of the National Cyber Director was established to develop a national cybersecurity strategy that includes improving public-private collaboration. The County of Marin is now doing its part to help further that mission in our local community.
“Internet safety is both a financial and public safety issue,” added Balderama. “The more we can reduce potential harm across the various industries that serve Marin, the better we’re serving our community.”
As an added resource for businesses, the County’s Information Services and Technology (IST) Department, which has garnered several awards in recent years for its security protocols, recently published a Top 10 List of Cybersecurity Recommendations.
Not a member of the Marin business community? No problem, Marin IST encourages all residents to sign up for the County’s monthly e-newsletter called News with hacking-prevention tips based on current threats.
Registration for Marin CyberSafe News is open on the Information Security and Compliance page of the County website. Subscribe to the newsletter and stay one step ahead.