III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 345 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

to raise awareness about, and enhance the state of, cybersecurity in 

the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 

Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. KING, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. GARDNER, Mr. 

JOHNSON, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. WICKER, Mr. CASEY, Mr. ROUNDS, 

and Mr. PETERS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity 

Awareness Month to raise awareness about, and enhance 

the state of, cybersecurity in the United States. 

Whereas internet-based devices are present in every aspect of 

life for many people in the United States, with constant 

connection providing opportunities for innovation and 

modernization; 

Whereas a connected society is subject to cybersecurity 

threats that can compromise even the most personal and 

sensitive of information; 

Whereas malware is any malicious software that can be used 

to compromise the integrity of an electronic device, including the various types of software that give cyber 


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•SRES 345 IS 

criminals unique methods to monitor and control online 

activity or steal personal information or other sensitive 

data, such as— 

(1) adware; 

(2) botnets; 

(3) ransomware; 

(4) rootkits; 

(5) spyware; 

(6) Trojans; 

(7) viruses; and 

(8) worms; 

Whereas an insider threat occurs when a current or former 

employee, contractor, or business partner who has or previously had authorized access to the network, system, or 

data of an organization intentionally misuses that access 

in a manner that constitutes a cybercrime; 

Whereas 28 percent of electronic crime events are known to 

be caused by insider threats; 

Whereas public Wi-Fi hotspots can be convenient, but are not 

always secure, and may expose anyone connected to the 

network to a malicious cyberattack; 

Whereas there are more than 10,000,000 attempted 

cyberattacks reported to the Pentagon each day; 

Whereas everyone can take simple steps to minimize the 

chance of a cybercrime, including— 

(1) setting strong passwords; 

(2) installing updates; 

(3) understanding privacy settings; and 

(4) thinking critically and carefully about online offers; 


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•SRES 345 IS 

Whereas National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort between government and industry— 

(1) to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity; 

(2) to provide education to public and private sector 

partners through events and initiatives; 

(3) to ensure that public and private sector partners, 

and all people of the United States, have the tools and 

resources needed to be safer and more secure online; and 

(4) to increase the resilience of the United States in 

the event of a cyber incident; 

Whereas, in 2019, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

will 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— 

(1) citizen privacy; 

(2) consumer devices; and 

(3) e-commerce security; 

Whereas the theme of National Cybersecurity Awareness 

Month in 2019 is ‘‘Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.’’; 

Whereas there are approximately 310,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the United States; 

Whereas it is estimated that there will be 1,800,000 unfilled 

cybersecurity positions globally by 2022; and 

Whereas the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security works with 

public sector, private sector, and government partners— 

(1) to share information; 

(2) to build greater trust; and 


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•SRES 345 IS 

(3) to lead the national effort to protect and enhance the resilience of the physical and cyber infrastructure of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 

3 Cybersecurity Awareness Month; 

4 (2) commits to continuing to work with Federal 

5 agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and 

6 other organizations to enhance the state of cyberse7 curity in the United States; and 

8 (3) recognizes October as National Cybersecu9 rity Awareness Month in 2019, with the theme 

10 ‘‘Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.’’, as an oppor11 tunity— 

12 (A) to provide education to the people of 

13 the United States about cybersecurity; and 

14 (B) to help all people of the United States 

15 be safer, more secure, and more aware while 

16 online and using connected devices. 

Æ 


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