Arizona Launches ‘Cyber Command’ Center After Logging 800,000 Security Attacks in September

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (center) is joined by Tim Roemer, Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and Chief Information Security Officer, at an unveiling of the new Cyber Command Center in Phoenix on Oct. 4, 2021. Also pictured are Colonel Heston Silbert, Director of the Department of Public Safety; Andy Tobin, Director of the Department of Administration; and Adjutant General Kerry Muehlenbeck, Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. Office of the Governor Doug Ducey

Arizona’s counter terrorism efforts received a boost this week with the launch of a new computer security facility to combat ongoing cyber attacks on state information technology.

On Oct. 4, Gov. Doug Ducey announced the creation of a new Cyber Command Center at a ceremony at the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) in Phoenix.

“Cybersecurity is homeland security. Our society is becoming increasingly interconnected through technology, and cybersecurity has become one of the most important issues facing Arizona,” Ducey said in a statement.

In fiscal 2020, Arizona set aside $2.9 million to enhance cybersecurity controls and prevent threats on state IT equipment. The state also earmarked $3 million for enhancing the Arizona Department of Education’s school finance system, and will receive another $6 million for cyber security in fiscal 2022, which began July 1.

Ducey said the new command center will play a critical role in protecting Arizonans and securing the state’s cyber infrastructure against cyber threats.

“I’m hopeful that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will recognize the success of these partnerships on cybersecurity and begin to treat border security just as seriously,” he said.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, right, is joined by Tim Roemer, Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and Chief Information Security Officer, at an unveiling of the new Cyber Command Center in Phoenix on Oct. 4, 2021. Office of the Governor Doug Ducey

The command center will serve as Arizona’s headquarters for coordinating statewide cybersecurity operations.

Ducey added the goal is to promote the formation of public and private partnerships to guard against future cyber attacks.

In September alone, Arizona’s DHS intercepted approximately 68 million cyber threats and secured state websites from over 800,000 attacks, the agency reported.

The new command center will serve as a hub for state agencies to share information with one another to enhance their operations, the governor said.

The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center is a joint effort by the Arizona DPS, DHS, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other agencies. Its primary mission is to support Arizona’s homeland security efforts.

Established in 2004, the counter terrorism center operates round-the-clock providing intelligence, investigative, and technical support to multiple law enforcement agencies at state, tribal, and federal levels.

In March 2018, Ducey signed an executive order creating the Arizona Cybersecurity Team to protect against cyber threats and to promote cybersecurity awareness and best practices. He appointed former Arizona Cybersecurity Team Safety Adviser Tim Roemer as Arizona’s Chief Information Security Officer the following year.

“I’m glad to hear we are finally taking cybersecurity seriously,” Arizona Rep. Mark Finchem (R) told The Epoch Times. “I’m glad to hear that the governor is looking at setting up something so maybe, in the next election, we can have the safest, most secure election in history.”