The Senate on Friday gave final legislative approval to the bill creating the Governor’s Office of Cyber Defense.
The purpose of the office is to bring together the different state and local efforts to defend against cyber attacks and to coordinate efforts to block security breaches and hackers.
Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, D-Las Vegas, said during hearings on the proposal it would provide needed structure and accountability to cyber defense efforts.
The office will cost $876,365 over the biennium, all of it General Fund money, much of the cost to support four staff members.
The proposed budget also includes a total of $4.2 million across a variety of agencies to enhance the state’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to cyber attacks.
In proposing the new office, Daniel Stewart of the governor’s office said the biggest detriment to defending the state is the lack of coordination.
“Given the risk, we’ve got to do something,” said Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka.
Senate Bill 471 goes to the governor for his signature.