By Leila Merrill
NEW YORK — The FDNY is looking to increase its cybersecurity in order to protect its first responders from doxing, the New York Post reported.
The city put out a call recently for consultant services “for the development and implementation of protective strategies to address the cyber threat of doxing and to provide resiliency for the security of personal information.”
A spokesman for FDNY said the decision to hire a consultant was not triggered by an incident.
FDNY databases contain personal information about its 15,000 emergency responders and other workers, its retirees and its patients.
The cybersecurity professional would help implement anti-hack software and develop a training program for workers, the note to potential bidders states.
A union leader criticized FDNY’s timing.
“It’s an attempt to protect those who protect others. But it’s shocking that the department doesn’t already have such a plan in place,” said Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507, the union that represents FDNY EMTs, paramedics and fire inspectors. “It’s very alarming.”
Andrew Ansbro, president of the city’s Uniformed Firefighters Association, told the Post that the FDNY’s cybersecurity initiative seems like an attempt to proactively fight doxing and data breaches.