Donovan Introduces Cyber Preparedness Act
Congressman Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday introduced the Cyber Preparedness Act to make common-sense adjustments to the country’s cybersecurity procedures.
The bill’s aim is to improve information sharing between federal, state, and local authorities and to allow homeland security grants to be used for cybersecurity.
Following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, state and urban law enforcement agencies established “fusion centers” in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Fusion centers are physical workplaces that bring together federal, state, and local agencies to share counterterrorism intelligence and information.
However, state and local law enforcement agencies sometimes do not receive current information from federal authorities about cyber threats, defensive measures, or best practices. At the same time, the DHS operates the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) to share information among federal agencies.
The Cyber Preparedness Act would allow representatives from state and urban fusion centers to operate out of NCCIC. This would foster improved and more efficient information sharing. The measure also clarifies that homeland security grants can be used to fund state and local cybersecurity initiatives.
“Information sharing and adjustments to grant rules might sound mundane, but defending against cyber-attack requires attention to every detail. The tweaks made in my bill come directly from expert testimony at a hearing last month, and they’ll have a meaningful impact on cyber defenses,” said Donovan.
Deutsch, Felder Team Up On Bicycle Safety
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest) and State Sen. Simcha Felder (Borough Park, Midwood) today will join the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol, and COJO of Flatbush in a bicycle safety and fun family carnival event.
Event organizers will distribute free safety accessories for bicycles, including helmets and reflectors. NYPD officials will also be on hand to do bike etching, which registers the bike on a citywide data base. If the bike turns up after being lost or stolen, the assigned serial number will make it quick and easy for police to identify and return the bike to its rightful owner.
The event is slated for 4 p.m. until dusk, today on the corner on Avenue P and Bedford Avenue.
Williams, Parker, Bichotte Unveil New Mural
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), State Senator Kevin S. Parker (Flatbush, Midwood) and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) joined Groundswell, and Midwood High School in celebrating the completion of a new mural that depicts the history of Brooklyn over the course of hundreds of years, and the various communities that have called the borough home.
The mural was completed by Lead Artist Misha Tyutyunik, Assistant Artist Iris Loughran, and a team of Midwood High School students. Groundswell is a nonprofit that brings together artists, youth, and community organizations to use art as a tool for social change, for a more just and equitable world.
The students who worked on the mural are Sumiya Alter, Anyi Chen, Ahreema Choudhary, Elyse Cruz, Anya Fang, Ada Jiang, Korina Kemelmakher, Alasia Miller, Zhanna Olevskaya, Paule Ouedraogo, Angela Win, Vicky Yang, Michelle Yatvitskiy, Nga Yu Lo, and Anie Yvon.
“I am exceptionally proud of the artists and students who came together to work on this mural,” said Williams. “Brooklyn holds a special place in my heart and for millions of people who call this great borough home. Looking at this great piece of art, I am reminded of how Brooklyn has evolved and changed throughout the years. I hope that people are filled with a sense of nostalgia and hope every time they walk by this mural.”
“The work put forth by the students of Midwood High School in partnership with Groundswell is absolutely phenomenal,” added Parker. “The mural is a great addition to our community’s landscape, and I look forward to supporting similar projects that enrich and empower the lives of our students, while simultaneously strengthening the bonds that shape our communities.”
Gentile Brings Home Bacon To District
Bay Ridge City Councilman Vincent Gentile praised the City’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget, which officially passed the City Council yesterday.
“Parrticularly, I am proud to see that funding for libraries and District Attorney’s offices, which are vital and integral to our city, has been baselined. Last year we saw library services increased to six days a week and now with baselining we make it a permanent base level of funding for allowing libraries to plan to meet the needs of the future. As for the DA’s, we now have funding from the city firmly and lastingly dedicated to the offices we rely on to have the personnel and the resources to be on the cutting edge of law enforcement. New Yorkers deserve no less,” said Gentile.
On the local front, Gentile said he made sure funding was in the budget for:
- The new initiative for the Neighborhood NORCS (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) will get sufficient funding to begin their operation on behalf of our local senior citizens.
- To help business expand and prosper in Brooklyn, the new City budget grants $525,000 to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in program and other assistance funding.
- To assist in the Department of Sanitation and Parks Department clean-up efforts, additional money was added to our local area to increase street sweeping and waste basket collection pick-ups.
- In addition, significant funding was added to the budget for local groups NIA Community Services Network and the Federation of Italian American Organizations so that they can continue providing first-class community and after school programs in our neighborhood.
- Allocated more than $450,000 to help fund local community nonprofit groups and another $260,000 to go to local senior and youth activities. Gentile also secured more than $7 million in capital construction funds in his district.
Williams, Maisel Kick Off Summer Reading Challenge
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (Canarsie, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach) and City Councilman Alan Maisel (Canarsie, Mill Basin, Gerritsen Beach) invited Assembly District 59 school liaisons for a meet-and-greet and discussion on the Assembly Member’s 2016 Summer Reading Challenge.
Williams spoke with local school liaisons on current summer reading material and increasing youth library membership in the face of increasing technology.
The 2016 Summer Reading Challenge encourages students to read 15-minutes a day for 40 days during July and August, and submit a calendar marking their accomplishments to her district office located at 5318 Avenue N, Brooklyn, New York 11234.
Cumbo Fundraiser Kicks Off Reelection Campaign
City Council Member Laurie Cumbo yesterday announced she is kicking off her 2017 reelection campaign with The Boss Brunch – Women for Laurie event.
The event will feature various women business owners or “Boss Ladies.” Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their best power flower outfit.
The event is slated for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 25 at For My Sweet Gallery, 1103 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. You can click here to buy tickets. For more information please contact Abbey at 212-239-7323 or abbey@theadvancegroup.com.
