Establishing the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Board

WHEREAS, the State of Rhode Island must find ways to improve and protect infrastructure, information, and operations in both the public and private sectors;

WHEREAS, ensuring resiliency in State operations will require a multi-disciplinary approach to security, drawing upon the best expertise from the federal government, the private sector, academia, and elsewhere;

WHEREAS, as our economy continues to transform in the Digital Age, we grow increasingly reliant on technology, which exposes our critical infrastructure, computer networks, sensitive data and information systems to the risk of cyber-attacks;

WHEREAS, regular collaboration among government, private sector, and academic leaders will be mutually beneficial and position the State to improve its defenses;

WHEREAS, the Cybersecurity Commission identified the State’s strengths in cyber-security and produced a set of recommendations for securing the State against cyber-attacks;

WHEREAS, the Cybersecurity Commission’s recommendations included the creation of a Homeland Security Advisory Board for the purpose of advising the Governor; and

WHEREAS, the highest duty of government is the protection of its citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GINA M. RAIMONDO, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby order and direct the following:

A. The Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Board

1. There is hereby established a Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Board (“Board”) that shall exist for the purpose of advising the Governor.
   
    
2. The members and chair of the Board shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The membership shall include, but not be limited to, members of the public with expertise in areas such as:
   
   1. Terrorism, including weapons of mass destruction;
   2. Cybersecurity;
   3. Domestic and international intelligence;
   4. Information protection
   5. Information sharing
   6. Law enforcement;
   7. Constitutional law;
   8. Privacy law;
   9. Federal homeland security policy;
   10. Information technology;
   11. Public health;
   12. Emergency communications
   13. Emergency preparedness; and
   14. Critical infrastructure;
       
        
3. All departments, offices, boards, and agencies of the State shall provide assistance and cooperation to the Board, including staff support and the use of State facilities, which may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Executive Order.
   
    
4. Executive Order 15-10, “Rhode Island Cybersecurity Commission” is hereby repealed.

B. Duties and Purpose

1. The Board, in combination with the State Homeland Security Advisor, shall provide strategic guidance to the Governor on all homeland security and cybersecurity issues.
   
    
2. The Board shall monitor the State’s progress implementing recommendations of the Cybersecurity Commission, including:
   
   1. Advising on the development of a comprehensive state-wide strategy to secure Rhode Island from both universal and localized threats, with a particular focus on cybersecurity and terrorism;
   2. Improving statewide executive branch cybersecurity, skills training, risk management, and technology deployment;
   3. Developing a framework for establishing a Rhode Island based National Cyber Center of Excellence;
   4. Upgrading the State’s existing Cyber Disruption Team to create more cybersecurity response, information sharing, outreach, and training capability for Rhode Island stakeholders;
   5. Working with the Rhode Island Fusion Center, Rhode Island National Guard, and Rhode Island State Police to better integrate existing state and federal law enforcement, intelligence, defense, emergency response, and critical infrastructure protection operations; and
   6. Working with the State Homeland Security Advisor to establish skills exchange programs with the National Guard, U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and intelligence community.
      
       
3. By December 2017, and annually thereafter, the Board shall issue a report to the Governor evaluating the State’s security and providing recommendations, including legislative changes, to reduce vulnerabilities to both universal and localized threats, with a particular focus on terrorism and cybersecurity.
   
    
4. The Board’s review and recommendations shall address matters including, but not limited to:
   
   1. The roles and responsibilities of state leadership and private sector critical infrastructure representatives during times of emergency;
   2. Coordination between the agencies with a homeland security mission, including but not limited to the Rhode Island Fusion Center, the State Police, the Rhode Island National Guard, the Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health, and the Department of Administration;
   3. Collaboration with federal partners including but not limited to the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
   4. Engagement with companies in the private sector and the general public;
   5. Reducing the vulnerability of people and communities to damage, injury, and loss of life and property resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, or hostile military or paramilitary action or acts of bioterrorism;
   6. Improving the State’s defenses to attack, including cyber-attack; and
   7. Preparations for the prompt and efficient response to disaster or attack.
      
       
5. The Board’s meetings shall be public meetings. Members of the Board may be assigned to committees consistent with their areas of interest and expertise. Persons with relevant expertise from within and outside Rhode Island may be recruited to participate in such committees whether or not they are members of the Board.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

So Ordered,

Gina M. Raimondo

Governor