III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 410 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

to raise awareness and enhance the state of cybersecurity in the United 

States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 7, 2021 

Mr. PETERS (for himself, Mr. CASSIDY, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. ROUNDS, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. KING, and Ms. HASSAN) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity 

Awareness Month to raise awareness 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 the COVID–19 pandemic forced daily aspects of societal life to online environments that are vulnerable to 

cyber attacks; 

Whereas the number of cellular Internet of Things (commonly referred to as ‘‘IoT’’) connections is expected to 


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•SRES 410 IS 

reach 3,500,000,000 in 2023, increasing at an annual 

growth rate of 30 percent; 

Whereas a connected society is subject to cybersecurity 

threats that can compromise even the most personal and 

sensitive of information; 

Whereas connected critical infrastructure is subject to cybersecurity threats that can compromise fundamental economic and health and safety functions; 

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 

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 the Federal Bureau of Investigation received more 

than 2,000 ransomware complaints in 2020 accounting 

for nearly $30,000,000 in losses; 

Whereas social engineering to trick individuals to give up 

their credentials, often through phishing attacks, can 

allow attackers to access personal information and accounts, leading to substantial harm; 


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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 were more than 2,000,000 cybercrimes reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2020 

equating to more than $4,000,000,000 in losses; 

Whereas everyone can take simple steps to minimize the 

chance of a cybercrime, including— 

(1) setting strong passwords; 

(2) using multi-factor authentication; 

(3) installing updates; 

(4) understanding privacy settings; 

(5) backing up data; and 

(6) thinking critically and carefully about online offers; 

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 2021, 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) cyber hygiene; 


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(2) phishing scams; and 

(3) cybersecurity trainings; 

Whereas the theme of National Cybersecurity Awareness 

Month in 2021 is ‘‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’’; 

Whereas there are approximately 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the United States; 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 

(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, State, local, tribal, and territorial govern6 ments, businesses, educational institutions, and 

7 other organizations to enhance the state of cyberse8 curity in the United States; and 

9 (3) recognizes October as National Cybersecu10 rity Awareness Month in 2021, with the theme ‘‘Do 

11 Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’’, as an opportunity— 

12 (A) to provide education to the people of 

13 the United States about cybersecurity; and 


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

2 be safer, more secure, and more aware while 

3 online and using connected devices. 

Æ 


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