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Sen. Tony Wong urges reconvening a cybersecurity task force to address AI and ransomware threats
Summary
Senator Tony Wong asked the Public Safety and Security Committee to reestablish a statutory cybersecurity task force — a group the legislature previously authorized but which lapsed — citing AI proliferation, ransomware against municipalities and risks to utilities and critical infrastructure.
State Sen. Tony Wong (D‑Fairfield) told the Public Safety and Security Committee that Connecticut should reconvene a cybersecurity task force that previously expired and that reconnecting legislative authority to the issue would bring weight and expertise to the work.
"This is a reconvening of asking for a task force that had expired," Wong said. He framed the request as a response to evolving threats — from ransomware that has disrupted municipal services to new risks posed by artificial intelligence. "The duality of AI and cybersecurity has created a far greater urgency and and a significant impact on the lives of many people in this country," he said.
Wong argued the task force should be statutory and bipartisan so it can marshal expertise from state government, the Guard, municipal officials and Connecticut’s major defense and industrial firms such as Sikorsky and Electric Boat. He said prior leadership in Connecticut — including an early cybersecurity advisor during Gov. Malloy’s administration — shows the state can lead. "When you talk to our utilities, when you talk to our national defense, from Sikorsky, from Pratt Whitney to Electric Boat, their level and sophistication against cybersecurity and terrorist encroachment is world class. And why are we not as a state recognizing some of that to be able to share with Connecticut based businesses?" Wong asked.
Committee members asked about the task force's deliverable and timeline. Representative Howard observed the bill requires a report by Jan. 1, 2026 and suggested extending that to 2027 to give the task force time to gather information from 169 towns, state agencies and utilities; Wong accepted the suggestion and said 2027 would be acceptable and that the work should be ongoing rather than a one‑time report.
Wong said the task force would have tangible next steps: gather expertise, produce best practices, educate municipal leaders and inform legislative options for improving statewide preparedness and response. He emphasized that cybersecurity is a question of "when" not "if," and urged proactive measures that combine state resources with private and federal partners.
No formal action was recorded at the hearing; committee members indicated they may revise the bill timeline and seek additional stakeholder input.
