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Experts: Cyber security more important as NC relies on tech

Cyber security experts say that hackers are becoming more advanced, making it harder to protect your information on a public network.

Posted Updated

By
Emmy Victor
, WRAL reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — Some people spend hours using screens on work computers, smartphones and watches.

Experts say that hackers are becoming more advanced, making it harder to protect personal information on a public network.

On Friday, about 600 professionals will attend a cyber security conference at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Experts plan to explore the latest ways to protect computer networks and prepare for new ways hackers may try to reach personal data.

Brooks Raiford, president and CEO of the N.C. Tech Association, said this is necessary as the state becomes more dependent on technology.

“Financials, health records, personal information are so intertwined that the risk of cyber threat is all the more present,” Raiford said.

In 2017, a hacker accessed private files in Mecklenburg County and demanded $23,000 for an encryption key to release them.

The professionals plan to discuss how to avoid those instances and more at Friday's conference.

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