U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) on Sept. 26 introduced a resolution to recognize October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which for 2019 would have the theme: “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.”
“National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and encouraging proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity,” Sen. Gardner said. “This bipartisan resolution highlights the need to educate consumers and workers on best practices to help keep our country a global leader in technology while protecting critical infrastructure and personal information.”
Sen. Gardner cosponsored Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 345 with sponsor Sen. Cassidy and eight other cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
“Our daily lives are becoming increasingly online,” said Sen. Cassidy. “National Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights the importance of securing your data and protecting yourself from threats online.”
If enacted, S.Res. 345 would encourage a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity; provide education to public and private sector partners through events and initiatives; ensure that such partners and individuals have the tools and resources needed to be safer and more secure online; and increase the resilience of the United States in the event of a cyber incident, according to the text of the resolution.
Additionally, S.Res. 345 would “emphasize personal accountability and the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace, focusing on key areas such as citizen privacy; consumer devices; and e-commerce security,” according to the resolution’s text.
The resolution also would note that approximately 310,000 unfilled U.S. cybersecurity jobs exist, with an estimated 1.8 million slated to be unfilled globally by 2022.
The resolution has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.