Title: A 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.
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This resolution expresses the Senate's support for the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and pronounces the Senate's commitment to enhancing U.S. cybersecurity through continued cooperation with federal agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 345 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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 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;

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

    (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

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) commits to continuing to work with Federal agencies, 
        businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations 
        to enhance the state of cybersecurity in the United States; and
            (3) recognizes October as National Cybersecurity Awareness 
        Month in 2019, with the theme ``Own IT. Secure IT. Protect 
        IT.'', as an opportunity--
                    (A) to provide education to the people of the 
                United States about cybersecurity; and
                    (B) to help all people of the United States be 
                safer, more secure, and more aware while online and 
                using connected devices.
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