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NMI lawmakers in Guam to address cyberthreats
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- Rep. Ivan Blanco (R-Saipan) and Luis John Castro (R-Saipan), together with Guam Sens. Wil Castro and Kelly Marsh Taitano, are briefed on cyberthreats in the Marianas region. (Contributed Photo)
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- Rep. Ivan Blanco (R-Saipan) and Luis John Castro (R-Saipan) pose with Guam Sens. Wil Castro and Kelly Marsh Taitano and other Guam officials after a briefing on cyber-security, cyber-terrorism, the dark web and critical infrastructure issues. (Contributed Photo)
SINAJÅÑA, Guam—Rep. Ivan Blanco (R-Saipan) and Luis John Castro (R-Saipan), together with Guam Sens. Wil Castro and Kelly Marsh Taitano, wrapped up Day 2 of meetings centered around cyber-security, cyber-terrorism, the dark web and critical infrastructure issues.
This come soon after the two CNMI lawmakers met on Day 1 with Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, Speaker Tina Muna Barnes and Castro to continue talks on revitalizing the Marianas Working Group to strengthen the CNMI and Guam’s posture regarding homeland security and public safety.
Blanco and Castro also met Department of Defense and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials and executives from Docomo Pacific to talk about current and emerging threats in telecommunications and smart systems.
“Building resiliency with all stakeholders in the region is a chief goal of ours,” said Blanco.
Docomo Pacific discussed the vital state of telecommunications security in the Marianas, while the FBI gave a view into the lengths hackers and scammers go to stealing vital personal information. DOD, through the Joint Region Marianas, provided insights into how hackers are able to infiltrate everyday appliances like televisions, air-conditioners and other “smart” machineries.
“It is encouraging to see the military’s continued focus to keep our region secure and to working with local and regional governments in addressing cyber threats,” said Castro.
Yesterday’s meetings were with Guam Homeland Security and Guam Power Authority officials. The Marianas Regional Fusion Center briefed the CNMI lawmakers of future plans and opportunities that include the CNMI’s fusion center node as well as FirstNet, a federally funded interoperable public safety broadband network.
“It is important to build these bridges in order that we may create policy and submit federal funding opportunities that strengthens our Marianas. It is well established that a regional approach is best when addressing both manmade and natural threats,” said Castro.
“We are connected in more ways than one and have been for a long time. Cyberthreats to the CNMI are the same for Guam, so working toward sharing information and resources is not only our way of life in the Marianas, it is working smart to maximize limited resources,” said Taitano. (PR)
