For Immediate Release: April 5, 2022

Media Contact: Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) released the following statement after her bill, Senate Bill 892—The Cybersecurity Preparedness Act passed the Senate Governmental Organization Committee 9-0:

“Protecting our critical infrastructure sectors from cyberterrorism on our food and water supply is of the utmost importance,” said Senator Hurtado. “As we have seen the effects of war, climate change and drought play out across the world, securing our food system against cyberattacks is at a critical juncture. Attacks on our vital cyber networks are on the rise across California and the country, and with a majority of the nation’s fruits and vegetables coming from California, we must invest in security to prevent a future disaster, and to maintain the integrity of our food and water supply chain. Failure to act places our human security at great risk.”

California’s existing cybersecurity defenses leave the food, agricultural and water industries vulnerable to cyberattacks and cyber threats. These cyberattacks threaten the health and safety of Californians who purchase products and utilize services form these companies.

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure sectors, including the food and agriculture sector. These cyberattacks, predominantly made up of phishing attempts and ransomware, provide intruders with access to technology systems, money, and sensitive data and information. The food and agriculture sector is particularly at risk for cyberattacks due to a lack of preparedness that stems from limited existing federal and state regulations.

SB 892 requires companies in the food and agricultural industry to report instances of verified cyber threats or cyberattacks within 60 days, it also requires the water and wastewater sector to disclose risk assessments and emergency response plans to state water authorities. SB 892 will direct the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC) to create plans to increase outreach for cybersecurity preparedness.

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders, as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and as a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

For more information, visit Senator Hurtado’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @Senator_Hurtado

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