Critical Infrastructure Protection Month, 2011

Proclamation 8760 of November 30, 2011

Critical Infrastructure Protection Month, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From irrigation to the Internet, our Nation's critical
infrastructure supports an incredible array of services
and industries that are essential to our continued
success and prosperity. Critical infrastructure
includes all systems and assets, both physical and
virtual, that make vital contributions to our security,
economic stability, public health, or safety. This
month, we affirm the fundamental importance of our
critical infrastructure and recommit to preparing for,
responding to, and recovering from hazardous events and
emergencies efficiently and effectively.

My Administration is resolute in our dedication to a
safe, secure future for our Nation. Natural disasters,
pandemic diseases, and acts of terrorism can pose
serious risks to our critical infrastructure, and it is
imperative we are prepared in the event of an
emergency. To reduce risks and improve our national
preparedness, we are fortifying our partnerships with
State, local, territorial, and tribal governments to
close gaps in our protection programs and promote
collaboration at all levels of government. We are also
engaging a wide variety of private stakeholders,
including critical infrastructure owners and operators,
to expand and reinforce critical infrastructure
protection. And, with the If You See Something, Say
Something campaign, we are empowering individuals and
communities across America to help improve public
safety. All of us have a role to play in strengthening
our national security, and together, we are taking
steps to foster a culture of resilience.

As we navigate new and uncertain challenges in the
digital age, we must also address the growing threat
cyber attacks present to our transportation networks,
electricity grid, financial systems, and other assets
and infrastructure. Cybersecurity remains a priority
for my Administration, and we are committed to
protecting our critical infrastructure by taking
decisive action against cyber threats. To ensure the
safety of our most vital operations, we are working to
give public and private organizations the ability to
obtain cybersecurity assistance quickly and
effectively. These efforts will bolster our ability to
withstand any attack, whether virtual or physical.

During Critical Infrastructure Protection Month, we
reflect on our responsibility to protect the vital
systems and assets that sustain our country and our
people. Strengthening our national security and
resilience is a task for all of us, and by promoting
awareness and partnering with one another, we can make
essential progress toward safe, secure, and prosperous
horizons for every American.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim December 2011 as
Critical Infrastructure Protection Month. I call upon
the people of the United States to recognize the
importance of protecting our Nation's critical
resources and to observe this month with appropriate
events and training to enhance our national security
and resilience.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.