West Montgomery Times

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee, chaired by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), and the Senate State Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), have announced a joint public hearing to address the recent data loss from the Office of Administration (OA) server.

The hearing is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. in the North Office Building, Hearing Room 1, in the state Capitol. OA Secretary Neil Weaver, along with the department’s chief information officer and chief information security officer, are expected to testify at the hearing.

Concerned citizens and stakeholders can tune in to the live stream of the hearing on Senator Pennycuick's website (SenatorPennycuick.com) and Senator Dush's website (SenatorDush.com).

This joint hearing aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the recent data loss incident at the Office of Administration. The loss of sensitive information from the OA server has raised concerns about the cybersecurity measures in place and the protection of crucial data.

Speaking about the upcoming hearing, Sen. Pennycuick emphasized the importance of understanding the causes and implications of the data loss, stating, "It is crucial that we investigate this incident thoroughly to determine the root causes and prevent such occurrences in the future. The protection of sensitive information is of utmost importance, and we must ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place to prevent any further breaches."

Sen. Dush echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in addressing the data loss issue. "The public deserves answers regarding the security of their personal information. We need to identify any vulnerabilities in our systems and take immediate action to rectify them," Sen. Dush emphasized.

As the hearing approaches, anticipation is mounting as experts and stakeholders eagerly await the testimonies of Secretary Neil Weaver and the department's chief information officers. Their insights and explanations are expected to provide valuable information to guide future cybersecurity initiatives and strengthen the protection of sensitive data.

The live stream of the hearing will give the public an opportunity to stay informed about the ongoing efforts to address and rectify the data loss incident, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Matt Szuchyt (Sen. Pennycuick) or Ty McCauslin (Sen. Dush).