Gov. Tim Walz, Harris\u2019 VP pick, has a notable record on cyber | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Democrat signed a cyber executive order for Minnesota, a data privacy law and more.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gov. 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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <a class=\"stickybar__link button button-tertiary\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cyberscoop50\/vote\/\">Click here!<\/a> <\/div>\n<p> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"25.219033232628\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"30.176470588235\">\n<p> The Democrat signed a cyber executive order for Minnesota, a data privacy law and more. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"410\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber.jpg?resize=640%2C410&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=300,192 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=768,492 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=1024,657 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=1536,985 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=600,385 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=262,168 262w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=526,337 526w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=1053,675 1053w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-2.jpg?resize=1315,843 1315w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1053px) 100vw, 1053px\"><figcaption> Minnesota Governor Tim Walz arrives to speak at a press conference on Aug. 1 in Bloomington, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"43.783841398423\"><body readability=\"90.17224432483\"><\/p>\n<p>Minnesota Governor <a href=\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/tag\/tim-walz\/\">Tim Walz<\/a>\u2019s pick as vice presidential nominee elevates a progressive voice with an extensive legislative and executive record from his time in the Minnesota governor\u2019s office to the top of the Democratic ticket, a record that includes substantial work on cybersecurity. <\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Walz helped spearhead a 2022 letter urging the Biden administration not to complicate state cybersecurity measures with federal ones.<\/p>\n<p>The same year, he also published his own executive order on cybersecurity, directing state agencies to upgrade their defenses and use the powers they had to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.<\/p>\n<p>And just a couple months ago he signed into law a data privacy measure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cMy administration has focused on cybersecurity since 2019,\u201d Walz wrote in an introduction to his executive order, touting other cyber achievements like helping establish the first dedicated line of funding for cybersecurity in the state. \u201cThese advancements have made Minnesota more secure, but there is more to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As co-chair of the Council of Governors with Ohio\u2019s Mike DeWine, Walz <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/advocacy-communications\/letters-nga\/governors-respond-to-president-bidens-letter-about-cybersecurity-threats\/\">co-signed a letter<\/a> responding to Biden administration warnings in 2022 about heightened cyber threats following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe recognize that the federal government bears unique responsibility to strengthen our Nation\u2019s cybersecurity posture, and we stand ready to bolster our Nation\u2019s response,\u201d the letter reads. \u201cEnhanced measures to guard against cyberattacks are most effective through a combination of reasonable, uniform federal guidelines and a carefully considered state processes [sic]. However, we caution against rushed or uncoordinated actions that risk undermining or preempting state policymaking and regulatory processes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The letter singled out <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/bidens-cybersecurity-legacy-a-big-shift-to-private-sector-responsibility\/\">a 2021 Biden administration executive order<\/a> that directed federal agencies to take a wide array of cybersecurity steps.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe urge careful consideration of the likely consequences of states\u2019 independent adoption and enforcement of disparate cybersecurity standards governing private utility providers,\u201d the letter states. \u201cAbsent uniform federal guidance, legal difficulties and service disruptions could ensue. Our concern for federal leadership and consistency is underscored in the May 2021 Executive Order on Improving the Nation\u2019s Cybersecurity, which espouses \u2018essential, baseline cybersecurity standards that [you] directed all federal agencies to adopt.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The letter also called on the federal government to dispatch \u201cresources\u201d to states.<\/p>\n<p>Walz created the first line of dedicated cyber funding in 2019, work that continued in subsequent years with a big chunk of money devoted to information technology upgrades for state agencies coming <a href=\"https:\/\/statescoop.com\/minnesota-it-services-receive-130m-modernizing\/\">just last year<\/a> \u2014 including for cybersecurity. <\/p>\n<p>He also signed into law last year legislation designed to punish the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/minnesota\/news\/new-minnesota-law-regulates-deepfakes-to-curb-influence-on-elections\/\">use of deepfakes<\/a> to harm a political candidate or influence an election.<\/p>\n<p>More recently, in May, Walz <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnpost.com\/state-government\/2024\/07\/minnesota-app-web-users-web-soon-have-enhanced-internet-privacy-rights\/\">signed data privacy legislation into law<\/a>. It places a particular emphasis on data brokers and rules for companies that otherwise control data on large numbers of consumers. It\u2019s set to take effect next summer.<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, Walz caused a brief kerfuffle with confusing remarks about whether the National Security Agency provided intelligence to the state in responding to protests in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After Walz suggested that the NSA had provided Minnesota with intelligence about the protests, the governor\u2019s office had to clarify the governor\u2019s remarks. \u201cNo NSA involvement,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/george-floyd-minnesota-nsa-surveillance\/\">a Walz spokesperson told CyberScoop<\/a> after his initial remarks about a call with then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper caused some head-scratching.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey also were able to provide their intelligence support of what they\u2019re seeing, what they\u2019re signal intercepting, they have obviously from NSA, from others, massive support to be able to see who these operators are,\u201d Walz said of the military. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re looking at what are the resources they have,\u201d he had said about the Pentagon generally. \u201cIs there signals intelligence that we can get from them?,\u201d he added in remarks that his staff subsequently walked back.<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"7.7216117216117\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Tim Starks\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-card__details\" readability=\"10.901098901099\">\n<h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Tim Starks<\/h4>\n<p> Tim Starks is senior reporter at CyberScoop. His previous stops include working at The Washington Post, POLITICO and Congressional Quarterly. An Evansville, Ind. native, he’s covered cybersecurity since 2003. Email Tim here: <a href=\"mailto:tim.starks@cyberscoop.com\">tim.starks@cyberscoop.com<\/a>. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Government<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Technology<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to CyberScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>   <\/body> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gov. Tim Walz, Harris\u2019 VP pick, has a notable record<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[413,2411,1411,1599,2412,1686,439,2413,2414],"tags":[415,2415,1417,1601,2416,1689,443,2417,2418],"class_list":["post-4638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-critical-infrastructure","category-cybersecurity-executive-order","category-deepfakes","category-executive-order","category-kamala-harris","category-minnesota","category-policy","category-state-government","category-tim-walz","tag-critical-infrastructure","tag-cybersecurity-executive-order","tag-deepfakes","tag-executive-order","tag-kamala-harris","tag-minnesota","tag-policy","tag-state-government","tag-tim-walz"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Cyber Scoop","author_link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/author\/cyberscoop\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/critical-infrastructure\/\" rel=\"category tag\">critical infrastructure<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/cybersecurity-executive-order\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Cybersecurity Executive Order<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/deepfakes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">deepfakes<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/executive-order\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Executive order<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/kamala-harris\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Kamala Harris<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/minnesota\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Minnesota<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Policy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/state-government\/\" rel=\"category tag\">State Government<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/tim-walz\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Tim Walz<\/a>","tag_info":"Tim Walz","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4638\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":4638,"date":"2024-08-06T10:59:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T15:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=81291"},"modified":"2024-08-06T10:59:34","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T15:59:34","slug":"gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2024\/08\/06\/gov-tim-walz-harris-vp-pick-has-a-notable-record-on-cyber\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Tim Walz, Harris\u2019 VP pick, has a notable record on cyber"},"content":{"rendered":"