New Jersey Assembly Bill A1671

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires State, county, and municipal employees and certain State contractors to complete cybersecurity awareness training.

Impact

The implementation of A1671 is expected to enhance the cybersecurity posture of New Jersey's governmental operations significantly. By requiring mandatory training for a wide array of state personnel and contractors, the bill seeks to create a culture of cybersecurity awareness and responsibility. The training program's approval and oversight by the CTO ensures that the program maintains high standards and can adapt to evolving cybersecurity challenges. This could lead to decreased incidences of data breaches and improved regulatory compliance across various state departments.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1671 mandates that all State, county, and municipal employees, along with certain State contractors, complete a cybersecurity awareness training program at least once each calendar year. This training is aimed at increasing the overall cybersecurity readiness and protecting sensitive governmental data against unauthorized access or cyber attacks. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the New Jersey Office of Information Technology will oversee the program, including its format and content, which is to be delivered online. Compliance verification will be required, and periodic audits will be conducted to ensure adherence to this new requirement.

Contention

While the bill has received general support for its focus on cybersecurity, there may be concerns regarding the logistics of implementation, such as how effectively the training will be administered and the potential for compliance challenges among contractors. Additionally, potential costs associated with providing this training, both for the state and the contractors, have been points of discussion. Ensuring that the training is accessible and beneficial for a diverse range of employees in different roles will be critical to the bill's success.