DeWine signs cyber reserve law

COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine signed a new law by state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, to create the Ohio Cyber Reserve, a civilian component of the Ohio National Guard that will defend Ohio against hackers.Gavarone said the bill creates teams of computer security experts who will defend the Ohio government, businesses and people. The new unit will get $100,000 to get started in the current fiscal year and $550,000 for the next fiscal year.Senate Bill 52 also has provisions, backed by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, designed to maintain the integrity of state elections.Those provisions include allowing LaRose to name a chief information security officer, giving LaRose a seat on the Ohio Homeland Security Advisory Council and requiring audits of election returns by county election boards to ensure voting totals are accurate.DeWine signed the bill into law in a Friday signing ceremony."I want to thank President Obhof for supporting this legislation and Gov. DeWine for signing this very important bill today so that Ohioans will be better protected from devastating cyberattacks," Gavarone said Friday."Imagine looking out the window and seeing foreign paratroopers parachuting into your town," LaRose said. "We wouldn't tell a community, 'you're on your own – your sheriff department can fight off that threat'. Well likewise, in the online world, we can now respond with Ohio's best cyber warriors so these counties and cities have the support they need."State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, right, looks on as Gov. Mike DeWine signs her bill to create a cyber reserve force in Ohio. Ohio's secretary of state, Frank LaRose, is behind the governor and next to Gavarone.