Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Department Issues Cybersecurity Guidance for Businesses

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann has issued a letter to all Pennsylvania state-chartered, licensed, and registered financial institutions and companies to provide an update on cybersecurity efforts and available resources.

The letter highlights a new publication issued that provides guidance to businesses on how to protect themselves from Business Email Scams, a cyberthreat targeted against businesses typically aimed at employees with access to company financial or sensitive documents and information.

"Deliberate cyberattacks and cyberthreats pose substantial risk to Pennsylvania's financial infrastructure and national security," Wiessmann stated in the letter. "The frequency and complexity of these cyberattacks reinforces the need for every organization to have conversations about cybersecurity and preparedness."

The letter also directs businesses and organizations to the following cybersecurity resources:

• The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding clarification of points in the 2015 FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) draft update to the Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (Cybersecurity Framework)
• The NIST guide for small business owners on cybersecurity issues, "Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals," which includes steps to take to better protect information systems

"Organizations must take control of protecting the personal and financial information of their clients and customers, as well as for the organizations at-large, and continue to work harder and more diligently to protect themselves against these evolving threats," stated Wiessmann.

The department offers online resources that can help businesses and consumers protect themselves from cyberthieves: www.dobs.pa.gov/Businesses/cybersecurity/Pages/default.aspx

The department's Cybersecurity Task Force is focused on providing resources to help maintain the integrity of Pennsylvania's financial services marketplace.  Businesses and consumers are invited to connect to the department through Facebook and Twitter, or subscribing to the department's newsletter.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities