Mission Statement
The mission of the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy is to engage members in policy discussions, educate members and extend networking opportunities to legislative leaders on cybersecurity and privacy issues through a series of well-defined programs, webinars on key definitions and critical cyber policy issues as well as supporting private-public networks. The task force began with an initial timeframe of two years focusing on cybersecurity isssues, and was renewed and has expanded its focus to include privacy issues.
The mission of the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy is to engage members in policy discussions, educate members and extend networking opportunities to legislative leaders on these important technology issues through a series of well-defined programs, webinars on key definitions and critical artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and privacy policy issues as well as supporting private-public networks. The task force began with an initial timeframe of two years focusing on cybersecurity issues, and was renewed and has expanded its focus to include artificial intelligence and privacy issues.
Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and privacy are interconnected in a complex way and these issues have move to the forefront of homeland security state priorities and state-federal policies.
With the advent of artificial intelligence, citizens, business leaders and policymakers must understand the basics of this technology, analyze its limitations and decide whether and when regulation may be necessary. While AI can enhance cybersecurity, it can also be used to exploit vulnerabilities and compromise privacy. Sensitive information is increasingly stored online, allowing greater access to anything from bank accounts and medical records, to water and energy systems, and even law enforcement files. Crime has also moved online, presenting significant human and economic costs of data breach and cyber-attack incidents and highlighting the essential need to strengthen the security and resilience of state networks and cyber policies.
States can benefit from continually investing in the protection of state networks from cyber-attacks and securing the homeland with strong cyber policies. But in order to do so, states look to reliable, clear, and concise information on cyber threat prevention including best practices and remediation plans.
This task force can help consolidate and synthesize existing resources and best practices to support policy makers’ ability to understand and implement beneficial artificial intelligence and cybersecurity measures as well as privacy policies that work best for their state.
By participating in ongoing projects, NCSL members will learn best practices and develop guidelines for other states to implement easily replicable AI, cybersecurity, and privacy initiatives. By engaging with strategic partners, educating our members on these pressing technology issues and extending networks in order to develop and maintain security programs, the NCSL Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Privacy Task Force can tackle these issues in a thoughtful and meaningful forum.