[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 177 (Thursday, October 7, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7002-S7003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 410--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ENHANCE THE STATE 
                 OF CYBERSECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES

  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:

                              S. Res. 410

       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 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

[[Page S7003]]

     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;
       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;
       (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
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity 
     Awareness Month;
       (2) commits to continuing to work with Federal agencies, 
     State, local, tribal, and territorial governments, 
     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 2021, with the theme ``Do Your Part. 
     #BeCyberSmart.'', 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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