What's happening
This bill creates new crimes of cyber terrorism in the first and second degrees, establishing severe penalties for computer-based attacks causing harm or intimidation.
Why it matters
Targets both financial and physical/intimidation-based cyber attacks. The bill creates separate offenses for cyber attacks intended to cause widespread financial harm (second degree) and those intended to intimidate, coerce, or cause mass injury or destruction (first degree), recognizing the broad range of threats posed by cyber crimes.
Severe penalties to deter cyber attacks. By classifying second-degree offenses as class C felonies and first-degree offenses as class A felonies, the bill imposes strict criminal penalties, signaling the seriousness with which the state views cyber terrorism.
Bridges gap between traditional and cyber crime. The legislation explicitly ties digital actions (use of computers, networks, data) to terrorism and large-scale criminal harm, updating existing law to address the realities of modern, technology-driven threats.
Broad applicability to protect both individuals and public entities. The language covers not only attacks on individuals (over ten victims for financial crimes) but also those targeting civilian populations or government operations, aiming to protect both private citizens and public infrastructure from high-impact cyber threats.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Criminalize Cyber Terrorism Acts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Crack Down on Cyber Terrorism
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Thomas Croci
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3311
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. DenDEKKER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to cyber terrorism in the first and second degree
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding two new sections 490.26 and 490.27 to read as follows: § 490.26 Cyber terrorism in the second degree.
A person is guilty of a crime of cyber terrorism in the second degree when, with intent to cause serious, wide-spread financial harm, or commit any offense contained within article one hundred fifty-five of this chapter against more than ten people, a person uses a computer, a computer program, a computer network, computer material, a computer service, or computer data, to cause such wide-spread financial harm or to commit any offense contained within article one hundred fifty-five of this chapter against more than ten people.
Cyber terrorism in the second degree is a class C felony. § 490.27 Cyber terrorism in the first degree.
A person is guilty of a crime of cyber terrorism in the first degree when, with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, affect the conduct of a unit of government, or cause mass injury, damage, destruction or debilitation to persons and/or property, a person uses a computer, a computer program, a computer network, computer material, a computer service, or computer data, to intimidate, influence, coerce, affect, injure, damage, destroy, or debilitate persons or property.
Cyber terrorism in the first degree is a class A felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00544-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.