David Robinson in The Albany Busines Review reports that the state Senate passed the legislation Feb. 25 to strengthen protections against cyber attacks after the massive data breach at health car provider Anthem Inc. affecting about 80 million people, nationwide. Locally, at least 109,000 people in the Capital Region may be affected by a data breach. Locals who have medical coverage with Anthem/Empire Blue Cross, the state’s Empire Plan, or the NYSHIP Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO may have had personal information stolen from the parent company Anthem. The senate's bill that would create new penalties for people convicted of cyber crimes, expand existing anti-hacking laws, and start advisory boards and studies looking for other remedies now heads to the Assembly. The Senate also passed a bill to require the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to collaborate State Police, the chief information officer, and the president of the Center for Internet Security every five years to create a report on the current cybersecurity status. Read the full story in The Albany Business Review.