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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 11, 2022 03:04 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Doug Mastriano |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Securing our Unemployment Compensation System |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to fortify the security of Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation (UC) system. It was recently revealed that hackers have been successful in diverting unemployment compensation checks to fraudulent accounts. The use of multifactor authentication would have likely prevented something like this from occurring. Multifactor authentication requires a user to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource such as an online account. These factors can include personal security questions, one-time passwords sent via email or text, or in-person verification for those without technological means. While the newly implemented UC system includes a feature that allows for multifactor authentication, the system was inexplicably not turned on by the Department of Labor and Industry. My legislation will simply codify the use of multifactor authentication by the Department of Labor and Industry to verify all UC claimants. My bill will also require the Department to provide a report to the General Assembly that will include updates on the implementation of multifactor authentication, ongoing risk mitigation measures, and details regarding the amount of money that has been stolen by hackers. We have a duty to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected from hackers and that UC claimants receive the critical help they need. Please consider joining me as a co-sponsor. |
Introduced as SB1048