Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee on July 15 hosted the inaugural meeting of Rhode Island’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, which includes members from the state’s public and private sectors.

In partnership with state and Federal leaders, Rhode Island College has launched the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies.

A bipartisan bill aimed at creating a pilot program within the Department of Education to strengthen cybersecurity education has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives.

The House Committee on Homeland Security approved two cybersecurity-focused bills – the K-12 Cybersecurity Act and the DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act of 2021 – during a markup on July 28. The two bills will now head to the full House for consideration.

Reps. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., and Jim Langevin, D-R.I., urged Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in an April 1 letter to address the growing cybersecurity threat facing K-12 schools by issuing guidance that will give K-12 schools more confidence in making investments in increased cybersecurity measures.

Three members of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission – Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis. – introduced bicameral legislation to appropriate $28 billion in new Federal aid and establish programs to enhance state and local government modernization and cybersecurity.

Rhode Island residents hit by cybercrime have a new place to turn to for help. Beginning today, Rhode Islanders can now dial 2-1-1 to report cybercrime, including online fraud, and receive help with the aftermath, such as re-securing electronic devices.