Alabama Governor Kay Ivey joined the state’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) Monday to unveil its new, state-of-the-art Security Operations Center (SOC) and cybersecurity website.

The SOC is the first ever centralized security operation in Alabama and monitors the state’s use of electronic resources, including what is being attacked and where the attacks are coming from. So far, the SOC has provided 800 million blocks on the state’s firewalls, preventing unauthorized users from accessing the network, as well as four million antivirus blocks to servers and personal computers.

“Cybersecurity is a priority of my Administration, and today, I was proud to officially open our state’s first Security Operations Center,” Ivey said in a release. “There is such a wide range of uses for our technology in today’s world, which means we must do our part to ensure cybersecurity, especially on our state’s technology system.”

OIT also launched its new cybersecurity website, which you can view here. With cyber threats on the rise, this website helps all Alabamians “to be aware of potential dangers and provides resources to keep themselves, their families and their businesses safe.”

Additionally, Ivey declared October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

“Gov. Ivey understands the importance of protecting Alabama from cyberattacks that threaten the security and economy of the state. OIT is proud of the role CISO Ryan Allen, and the entire cybersecurity team, play in keeping the state’s government, as well as Alabama citizens, safe from potential threats,” OIT Acting Secretary Jim Purcell remarked.

@OITSofAL also launched its new cybersecurity website, https://t.co/UaZmOy6lc4 to bring awareness to potential cyber dangers & to provide resources to keep Alabamians, their families & their businesses safe. I was glad to be able to tour the SOC & take a look at the new website. pic.twitter.com/8z11f48LBQ

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 1, 2018

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn