Senate Bill S3122A

                                BILL NUMBER:S3122A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law and the general
business law, in relation to telecommunication service security

PURPOSE OF THE BILL: This bill would improve telecommunication
security by restricting access to telecommunication hardware and
software to authorized employees, and require the performance of a
security audit of New York's Telecommunication centers.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Specifically, this bill would:

1. Amend the executive law to require the New York State Office of
Homeland Security, in cooperation with the Division of the State
Police, to perform an investigation and, on or before April 1, 2010,
and shall issue a report to the governor, the temporary president of
the senate, and the speaker of the state assembly, on
telecommunication security in New York State. Such investigation and
report shall examine the facilities and operations of all corporations
which offer or provide telecommunications services, and shall examine
and report on the safety and security of all facilities, equipment and
procedures of such corporations and make recommendations with respect
to the improvement of the security thereof; and

2. Amend the general business law to provide that no corporation which
offers or provides telecommunications services shall permit access to
              

any hardware or software, or any portion of a facility owned or
operated by such corporation, where such hardware or software is
maintained, where such hardware or software provides switching,
transforming, computer or other technological services in the delivery
of its telecommunication services, except by employees of the
corporation who have satisfied the requirements of a security
background check, as designed and administered by the New York State
Office of Homeland Security and the Division of the State Police.

JUSTIFICATION: One of the proven targets of modern day terrorists and
criminals is communication centers. These centers provide an
invaluable service to our modem life, public safety and economy. The
openness of our society has left them especially vulnerable to attack,
with exponential consequences. This legislation would take two major
steps to improve security of our state's telecommunications: (i) by
restricting access to the hardware and software of such facilities to
only authorized employees who have passed a background check
examination; and, (ii) by requiring the state office of homeland
security, in cooperation with the division of the state police, to
perform an investigation and issue a report on how to improve
telecommunication security throughout New York State.

These measures seek to help both deter attacks from occurring, and
minimize their severity if they do occur at these important
infrastructure installations. In so doing, it will make our state, its
citizens and communities, safer and more secure.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2013: S.3122 - Veteran, Homeland Security
& Military Affairs 2011-2012: S.3249 - Veteran, Homeland Security &
Military Affairs 2009-2010: S.4698/A.10462 -Died in Veteran, Homeland


Security & Military Affairs; Died in Gov. Ops.  2007-2008:
S.3586/A.8301 - Died in Rules; Died in Gov. Ops.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act would take effect immediately.