Friday, July 19, 2024

MAYOR ADAMS UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON IMPACT OF CROWDSTRIKE OUTAGES TO NEW YORK CITY

 

Mayor Eric Adams: I often recall, although this was not, it was not a cyber attack, I recall when I was briefed by the former mayor, he said one of the major concerns is dealing with any form of IT outage, including if it is a cyber attack. We need to be prepared. With that in mind, Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack has been hosting a series of drills. We just recently did one to deal with any type of IT outage slash cyber attack. It was good to see how quickly the team coordinated… CTO Fraser called me around a little after midnight last night and gave me a preliminary briefing that what was taking place and reached out to the other team members and everything kicked into gear. We see the results of that from not only the notifications he made this morning, but also the coming together of the team. The blueprint was already in place. All we had to do was to execute on it. 

I just want to thank all these city agencies, as well as our partners in other agencies like the MTA. We have we're here to update New Yorkers on this global I.T. outage involving CrowdStrike. CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity software prevalent in computers across the globe. Their goal, as the chief technology officer would explain, is to identify if there is a problem and to immediately take action. Early this morning, they sent out a software update that inadvertently took systems offline. They sent out a software update that inadvertently took systems offline. 

This was not a cyber attack that was a hit or a cyber hit on our city infrastructure. Our city's IT and security teams, led by the Office of Technology and Innovation, have been working nonstop to troubleshoot problems and restore security. The CTO, Matt Fraser, has been directly in touch with CrowdStrike to get real-time updates and identify the fastest path to getting all systems up and running as quickly as possible. I just really want to emphasize this was not a cyber attack. This was an update that took systems offline. 

This is why the preparation is so important that the chief of staff is in charge of doing to make sure that we can immediately respond if there is an IT disruption of this magnitude or if there is a cyber attack. We have to be prepared, and this is what the drills are for. There are no calls being held or missed, and there is no backlog at the FDNY and FDNY is reviewing to ensure this remains the case. We want to ensure New Yorkers that 911's call systems have not been impacted. Our infrastructure and emergency operations, they are all in place and we are going to continue to do that. 

Life saving complaints that come through 311 or city agencies are being prioritized. Our traffic signals are working and are fully operational as is the Staten Island Ferry. Our water systems are fully operational. Our Summer Rising program will continue as scheduled, including bus service. Although we want to tell parents, you may see disruption on the bus tracking app. The systems are still operating. 

We expect to continue to see cascading effects of the outage throughout the day. New York City Office of Technology will be doing everything possible to minimize potential service disruptions and restore service to our system as soon as possible. Our city agencies’ IT department will be prioritizing this work today to get things back up and operating online based on the priority of those particular systems. We want to make sure New Yorkers are safe and they can rely on the city services they need. 

This is a developing situation. We are assured by the coordination that's taken place from all the agencies involved, as well as the entities that are responsible such as CrowdStrike to make sure we can get this underhand without a minimum amount of interruptions in our city.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, 
Grant Opportunities, & More
Friday Extra July 19, 2024
(Friday) Extra, Extra
Chamber President Lisa Sorin is back with your Bronx business and community updates!
- 8/3 deadline to apply for outdoor dining/continuation
- Trash Containerization for residential buildings
- Applications for Climate Justice Fellowship Plus program wage subsidy grants now open
- Upcoming Events: Monroe College continuing education info session on 7/23; Bronx Chamber Summer BBQ on 8/1; Bronx Gamechangers All-Inclusive Suite night at Yankee Stadium (with special guest World Series Champion Jim Leyritz!) on 8/9
🤖 Stay tuned for a special announcement from our Bronx Chamber Gala emcee next week (and save the date for 9/19!)
😎 Summer Hours: The Bronx Chamber office is on a 4-day schedule, closed every Friday through 8/30/24
LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY UPDATES
Below are 3 recently-introduced pieces of legislation of interest to our Bronx business owners, pertaining to employee rights:

By Council Members Tiffany Cabán, Amanda Farías, Selvena Brooks-Powers & Lincoln Restler: 
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to compliance with equal pay laws. 
Consumer and Worker Protection 

By Council Member Carmen De La Rosa: 
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the administration of employee benefits. 
Civil Service and Labor 

By Council Members Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, Selvena Brooks-Powers, Nantasha Williams, Julie Menin and Lincoln Restler: 
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a study on pay and employment equity for private employees. 
Civil and Human Rights 

Be sure to visit our website Advocacy page for weekly Bronx Business Legislative Updates
Taking Out The Trash: Containerization Requirements
Mayor Eric Adams and Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch unveiled the first-ever official NYC bin for trash pickup and released a timeline for residential containerization:

Starting November 12, 2024, all buildings with one to nine residential units must use the new bins, with full compliance with the new NYC bins for these buildings required by June 2026. The bins are available at www.bins.nyc, with a recommendation to order by October 1 to ensure delivery before the November 12 mandate. Link to full coverage of the announcement
Dining Out NYC Deadline is August 3
Food service establishments (FSEs) currently participating in the temporary outdoor dining program must apply to the Dining Out NYC program by August 3, 2024, to continue operating their current temporary outdoor dining setup. If an FSE has not submitted a Dining Out NYC application by the deadline, they must remove their current temporary outdoor dining setup at their sole cost and expense.

Both sidewalk and roadway cafes require a license and revocable consent from NYC DOT. The revocable consent and license will each have a four-year term.

BRONX CHAMBER 2024 GALA
Gala Registration Opens Next Week
Our annual gala is 2 months away! Sponsorship and VIP opportunities, tickets, tables, and more will be available next week, following a special announcement from our never-before-seen Mistress of Ceremonies... stay tuned to our social media pages & check your inbox!

Thursday, September 19, 2024
Marina Del Rey, Bronx, NY
6:30 - 11:00pm

Last year’s sold-out gala brought together over 600 executives, community leaders & supporters to celebrate our Honorees - and this year's theme is not to be missed! Anything Is possible…
UPCOMING BRONX CHAMBER SUMMER EVENTS
Bronx Chamber Summer BBQ
Thursday, August 1
6:00 - 9:00pm
Pelham Split Rock Golf Course

Member Pricing: $70/ticket
Non-Member Tickets: $80/ea.

Join us for delicious food and drinks*, serene views, lawn games, a live DJ and dancing, and facilitated networking with the Bronx Chamber team to build new Bronx business & community connections. Your next great deal could follow a dance-off, high-energy round of our famous Chamber speed networking, or a spirited game of cornhole!

*Ticket pricing includes complimentary beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks, as well as a hearty buffet & pig roast
Bronx GameChangers Night
With Special Guest Jim "The King" Leyritz!
Friday, August 9 at 7:05pm
Yankee Stadium

$250/Members • $300/Non-Members

This is your chance to meet a Yankee legend! Join us for an exclusive Bronx experience and prime networking as the New York Yankees take on the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers Friday, August 9! (Suite opens at 6:30pm, game time is 7:05)

Enjoy the game in climate-controlled comfort from an all-inclusive luxury suite with private stadium entrance - your ticket includes an open bar, dinner, a great view of the diamond, and - a special Meet & Greet with World Series Champion Jim Leyritz! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Bronx business and community leaders, partners and supporters working to make our borough thrive.

*ACT FAST - SPACE IS VERY LIMITED*
CHAMBER MEMBER AND PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES

The Bronx is Breathing
Learn about the initiative to incentivize the adoption of electric trucks into the Hunts Point and Industrial South Bronx truck fleets in a webinar this coming Monday, July 22 at 11:30am


This webinar, hosted by the Greater Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation, will cover the availability of electric trucks from manufacturers like Mack and Volvo, the experiences Hunts Point-based fleets have had integrating EVs into their operations, and state & local funding available to reduce the upfront costs of electric trucks and charging infrastructure. Featuring speakers from Manhattan Beer, City Harvest, NYCDOT, NYSERDA, ConEdison, and Empire Clean Cities.

Monroe College Tuition Info Session + Discount Offer

Have you been thinking about continuing your education as an adult professional learner? Monroe College has you covered with over 20 different degree programs and a variety of course options - and Bronx Chamber Members & their employees get a 20% tuition reduction!

Monroe is hosting a webinar next week where you can speak directly with an Admissions Advisor about their academic programs and application process:











Attention Bronx Small Businesses: Hire CUNY Alumni!

Internship to Employment provides opportunities for recent CUNY grads to intern for 12 weeks with NYC small businesses, with the aim of converting the internships into employment.
CUNY Provides:
  • Recruiting qualified CUNY graduates for your business; 12 weeks of paid internship; support of CUNY I2E staff who are responsible for intern recruitment; program management; intern payroll; wage reimbursement for up to $10/hour for 35 hours per week for the 16 weeks following the internship; rofessional development workshops during both the internship and employment periods


Networking Mixer for Women Business Owners

Good Light Productions presents: Mid-Summer Showcase
In Association with The Episcopal Actors’ Guild of America OPEN STAGE Grant -- Two plays running July 25 through August 4: Black American Working Woman and The Danger of Hope, at 1 East 29th Street New York, NY 10016.

The August 2 show will begin with a 6:00pm Networking Event for Women Business Owners (free access with ticket purchase). Organized by Carolyn Harrison, a dedicated past Bronx Chamber memberformerly of Young Life Bronx.

DIGITAL TOOLS FOR GROWTH
OPEN + ONLINE
Applications are still open for Bronx businesses to sign up for the popular Open + Online program through the NYC Small Business Resource Network!

It's crucial that your small business has a strong online presence to compete in today's marketplace. The Open + Online program offers FREE website building, logo & branding design, or expert SEO (search engine optimization) consulting to help your small business put its best foot forward.

WEBSITE UPDATES: CITY & STATE LEGISLATION
Check out the latest Bronx Chamber website updates for city and state legislation policy news impacting your business, plus events, resources and much more.

To visit our website, Click Here





FUNDING, CERTIFICATION, & OTHER RESOURCES
Free Recruitment Services For Businesses

NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) can help you hire the right employees at no cost.

Their pool of 100,000+ candidates contains qualified individuals in industries like food services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation, and warehousing.


Free services include: 
  • Sourcing job seekers
  • Recruiting and screening candidates based on your needs, referring the most qualified
  • Scheduling interviews to help you save time and focus on your core business

To Get Started: complete and submit this online form. 

NYC Small Business Emergency Preparedness Assessments & Grants
Your small business or commercial property may be eligible for a free on-site, one-on-one risk assessment. A team of experts will come to your business to:
  • Review your physical space, operations, and insurance coverage
  • Provide a custom report to prepare your business for future disruptions
  • After the assessment, you may receive a grant of up to $5,000 to buy recommended resiliency equipment, such as flood barriers, generators, and fireproof storage containers.

Program participants can receive a grant of up to $5,000 to cover the costs of recommended measures or certain types of resiliency equipment such as portable flood barriers, generators, and fire-proof storage containers.

Application Priority Deadline: Business PREP Risk Assessment and Grant Program will be prioritizing applicants whose annual revenue does not exceed $17 million until July 26, 2024. Awardees will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the order in which applicants have submitted a complete application.


NYC Funds Finder

NYC's Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Next Street are offering a user-friendly platform, NYC Funds Finder, where small businesses can review funding options, including loans and grants, and request free 1-on-1 financing assistance from the SBS team. 

NYC Funds Finder is a partnership between SBS and Next Street and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Next Street Scale, the platform that powers NYC Funds Finder, was created to address the hurdles that small businesses, especially those run by women and minorities, face in accessing the resources required to grow their business and build wealth. 

M/WBE Certification: Unlocking Opportunities

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with NYC SBS to help guide you through the application process of getting certified as a Minority/Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE).

This certification program, offered by NYC Small Business Services, is a critical initiative aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in government contracting and procurement processes. The program seeks to create opportunities for businesses owned and operated by minority individuals and women, ensuring they have fair access to government contracts and economic opportunities, opens your business up to increased opportunities from New York City agencies, free advertising in the NYC Online Directory of Certified Businesses, mentorship programs and workshops, networking events, and more.

The City has committed to awarding $16 billion in contracts to M/WBE certified organizations over the next decade--don’t miss out!

Are you eligible? (Qualification checklist below)

  • Business is legally authorized to transact business in New York City
  • Business has been in operation for at least one year
  • Business is more than 51% minority and/or woman owned

If you are interested in applying, or for more information on M/WBE certification, contact Chanel Perez at Programs@bronxchamber.org