National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2014

Proclamation 9179 of September 30, 2014

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Cyber threats pose one of the gravest national security
dangers the United States faces. They jeopardize our
country's critical infrastructure, endanger our
individual liberties, and threaten every American's way
of life. When our Nation's intellectual property is
stolen, it harms our economy, and when a victim
experiences online theft, fraud, or abuse, it puts all
of us at risk. During National Cybersecurity Awareness
Month, we continue our work to make our cyberspace more
secure, and we redouble our efforts to bring attention
to the role we can each play.

Cyberspace touches nearly every part of our daily
lives. It supports our schools and businesses, powers
the grid that stretches across our Nation, and connects
friends and families around the world. Our constant
connection has led to revolutions in medicine and
technology and has bettered our society, but it has
also introduced new risks, especially to our finances,
identity, and privacy. That is why last year I signed
an Executive Order directing my Administration to
identify the best ways to bolster our country's
cybersecurity. And earlier this year, we delivered on
that commitment by releasing the Cybersecurity
Framework. A model of public-private cooperation, this
Framework will help industry and Government strengthen
the security and resiliency of our critical
infrastructure. My Administration is also investing in
new strategies and innovations that help keep pace with
rapidly changing technology, and because cyberspace
crosses every boundary, we will continue engaging with
our international partners.

Americans of all ages can take action to raise the
level of our collective cybersecurity, and the
Department of Homeland Security's
``Stop.Think.Connect.'' campaign is empowering
individuals to do their part. Everyone should utilize
secure passwords online and change them regularly.
Internet users should take advantage of all available
methods to protect their private accounts and
information, and parents can teach their children not
to share personal information over the Internet.
Enhancing the security of our Nation's digital
infrastructure is a shared responsibility, and together
we can protect our most important information systems.
To learn more about safe cyber practices, visit
www.DHS.gov/StopThinkConnect.

Our commitment to maintaining an open, secure, and
reliable cyberspace ensures the Internet will remain an
engine for economic growth and a platform for the free
exchange of ideas. This month, we resolve to work
together to meet this global challenge.

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 October 2014 as
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. I call upon the
people of the United States to recognize the importance
of cybersecurity and to observe this month with
activities, events, and training that will enhance our
national security and resilience.

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