The National Governors Association (NGA) and Day Pitney LLP have released a joint publication, "A Primer on Cybersecurity Regulations," as a part of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe's NGA chair initiative, Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge.

The Primer, co-authored by David Forscey, a Policy Analyst for the Homeland Security & Public Safety Division of NGA, and Steven A. Cash and Benjamin H. Nissim, attorneys at Day Pitney, summarizes the current landscape of federal cybersecurity regulations covering private industry. As cybersecurity risk pervades all sectors of the U.S. economy, this publication sets out to inform state officials considering cybersecurity regulation on the relevant federal framework and provide a useful starting point for engaging private sector partners to fashion effective incentives for reducing cyber risk.

"Cybersecurity is no longer just an issue for Information Technology professionals - it a?ects everyone. Cybersecurity involves an increasingly complex set of federal and state laws, regulations and policies. The Primer will be an essential tool for anybody, in or out of government, who needs a reference on federal cybersecurity statutes and regulations,” noted Stanley A. Twardy, Jr., Managing Partner at Day Pitney.

Gov. McAuliffe explained, "A primary goal of the initiative is for states to develop strategies for strengthening cybersecurity practices as they relate to state IT networks, health care, education, safety, energy, transportation, critical infrastructure, economic development and workforce."

David Forscey is a Policy Analyst for the Homeland Security & Public Safety Division of the National Governors Association. The NGA Center for Best Practices Homeland Security & Public Safety Division provides information, research, policy analysis, technical assistance and resource development for governors and their staff about emerging policy trends across a range of homeland security and public safety issues.

Steven A. Cash, Counsel at Day Pitney and member of its Cyber Security and Data Protection practice, represents individual and corporate clients in criminal, commercial litigation and national security matters. He has broad experience at the federal and state level in the executive, legislative and judicial branches, including serving as Chief Counsel and Staff Director (Minority) to the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security; Chief Counsel to Senator Dianne Feinstein; Chief of Staff to the Director of Intelligence, Department of Energy; Staff Director to the U.S. House of Representative's Select Committee on Homeland Security; and Professional Staff Member and Counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Benjamin H. Nissim, an Associate at Day Pitney and member of its Cyber Security and Data Protection practice, represents corporate clients in commercial litigation in state and federal courts and arbitration proceedings. His practice includes representing insurance companies and agents in a wide range of insurance and reinsurance disputes, creditors and trustees in bankruptcy and bankruptcy related proceedings, and advising companies and individuals on cybersecurity and data protection issues.

About NGA

Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. NGA also provides management and technical assistance to both new and incumbent governors.

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