Capitol to hold cybersecurity forum next week

Rep. José Aponte Hernández

By The Star Staff

Rep. José Aponte Hernández on Thursday announced a cybersecurity forum to be held at the Capitol next week.

The purpose of the forum slated for Wednesday is to evaluate the measures implemented by the three branches of government -- the legislative, executive and judicial -- to mitigate the impact of cyberattacks on government information systems.

Among those invited to attend are staff from the Office of Innovation and Technology Services (PRITS), representatives from the FBI, cybercrime units from the island Department of Justice and Police Bureau, as well as IT executives from the local House of Representatives, Senate, and Courts Administration Office.

“This is an issue we’ve been addressing since 2011. Data security on government digital platforms is crucial for the functioning of the system and for maintaining public trust,” Aponte said. “The recent cyberattack on the Department of Justice’s networks highlights the need to take proactive measures to prevent such attacks. That is why we are convening executives from various agencies and branches of government to assess the current state of our systems and explore how we can strengthen their security.”

According to data from the University of Michigan’s Center for Cybersecurity, there were 32,211 recorded cyberattacks on federal government networks in 2023, which represents an increase of 1,552 from the previous year, when there were 30,659 attacks.

Additionally, PRITS reported that in 2023, there were a total of 82,089,132 attempted cyberattacks in Puerto Rico, affecting both the public and private sectors.

“In recent years, we have witnessed how these attacks have become more sophisticated and have penetrated our systems more deeply,” noted Aponte, a former House speaker who currently chairs the Committee on Federal Relations and Veterans’ Affairs in the lower chamber. “For instance, in 2020, criminals successfully accessed the data systems of the Industrial Development Company [PRIDCO] and the Retirement System Administration. In 2022, similar breaches occurred in the Senate and the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, among other entities.”

The forum will address measures to enhance network security and will evaluate potential legislation related to that topic, among other discussions.

“Advances in digital communication platforms and other related systems have made it imperative to secure the data that the government holds,” Aponte said. “Government cyber systems store a vast array of data, including individuals’ and businesses’ names, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, addresses, birth certificates, and more.”

The island Justice Department’’s information system was restored Thursday after unauthorized access was detected in the Criminal Justice Information System (SIJC-PR), triggering security protocols and initiating an investigation by state and federal authorities.

According to the government, the work included the implementation of additional security measures and monitoring of the database to prevent future incidents. The system reengineering incorporated more rigorous controls to protect public information.

Poincaré Díaz Peña, the island government’s chief cybersecurity officer, said in a written statement that the new measures ensure data protection and system reliability.

“What we are doing at the infrastructure level is extremely secure and has additional layers of security to guarantee safe and reliable services,” he said.

Although the system had been restored and was available to the public, authorities confirmed that the investigation into the breach was continuing.