GEORGIA CYBERSECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Strengthening Georgia’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure

As a candidate for Georgia House District 59, I am committed to introducing comprehensive legislation to strengthen and modernize our state’s cybersecurity infrastructure because the threats we face today are no longer theoretical; they are already here.

In early 2024, Fulton County the largest county in our state was hit by a devastating ransomware attack. This attack shut down court systems, disrupted tax offices, disabled phone lines, and prevented residents from accessing essential government services.

For weeks, citizens could not process basic transactions like vehicle registrations or marriage licenses, and critical systems remained offline while officials struggled to recover.

This was not just an inconvenience it was a failure of infrastructure.

The reality is clear: Georgia’s current cybersecurity framework lacks a strong, unified mandate. While we have data protection laws and breach notification requirements, we do not have a centralized cybersecurity command, consistent statewide standards, or mandatory protections for local governments. As a result, counties and municipalities are left to defend themselves with uneven resources, outdated systems, and inconsistent protocols.

We have seen this vulnerability before. The 2018 ransomware attack on the City of Atlanta exposed thousands of system weaknesses and cost millions in recovery yet years later, similar gaps still exist.

That is unacceptable.

As your representative, I will propose legislation that:

- Establishes a Georgia Cyber Command to coordinate statewide cyber defense

- Mandates minimum cybersecurity standards for all state and local government systems

- Provides dedicated funding for upgrading outdated infrastructure

- Requires annual cybersecurity training and readiness assessments

- Creates rapid response teams to assist counties during cyber incidents

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it is a matter of public safety, economic security, and trust in government.

If we can protect our roads, our borders, and our communities, then we must also protect our digital infrastructure with the same urgency and seriousness.

Georgia deserves a cybersecurity system that is proactive not reactive. Strong not fragmented. And ready not vulnerable.

I am running to make that vision a reality.