[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 69371-69372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24346]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 69371]]


                Proclamation 9508 of September 30, 2016

                
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Technology plays an increasingly significant role in 
                our daily lives. The rise of the Internet has brought 
                incredible opportunity and new ways of innovating and 
                enhancing our way of life--but with great potential 
                also comes heightened risk to our data. Keeping 
                cyberspace secure is a matter of national security, and 
                in order to ensure we can reap the benefits and utility 
                of technology while minimizing the dangers and threats 
                it presents, we must continue to make cybersecurity a 
                top priority. Throughout National Cybersecurity 
                Awareness Month, we recognize the role that individuals 
                can play in enhancing cybersecurity, and we join to 
                raise awareness of the importance of securing our 
                information against cyber threats.

                To build on the cybersecurity efforts already underway, 
                my Administration introduced the Cybersecurity National 
                Action Plan earlier this year to address short-term and 
                long-term challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. We 
                have proposed increasing the budget for cybersecurity 
                by more than one-third and establishing an Information 
                Technology Modernization Fund to help retire, replace, 
                and modernize our costly information technology legacy 
                systems. We are also striving to invest in 
                cybersecurity education, reform the way Government 
                manages and responds to large-scale cyber threats, and 
                update obsolete Federal IT systems that are vulnerable 
                to attack.

                To meet these goals, we created the position of the 
                first-ever Federal Chief Information Security Officer 
                to help drive cybersecurity policy, planning, and 
                implementation across the Federal Government. We also 
                established the Commission on Enhancing National 
                Cybersecurity to recommend actions that can be taken 
                over the next decade to strengthen cybersecurity in 
                both the public and private sectors while protecting 
                privacy. This Commission will maintain public safety 
                and economic and national security, foster discovery 
                and development of new technical solutions, and bolster 
                partnerships between governments and the private sector 
                in an effort to promote best cybersecurity practices.

                Cyber threats not only pose a danger to our national 
                security, but also have the potential to harm our 
                financial security and undermine the privacy of 
                millions of Americans. An important part of enhancing 
                cybersecurity involves empowering more Americans to 
                help themselves take proper precautions online and in 
                their financial transactions; cybersecurity is a shared 
                responsibility, and everyone can do their part to make 
                smart, safe choices. The Federal Government is also 
                doing our part through the BuySecure Initiative, which 
                has issued more than three million more secure credit 
                cards for Government purchases. We are also working to 
                help give Americans earlier warning of identity crimes 
                with free access to credit scores through their 
                existing consumer accounts.

                Through the Department of Homeland Security's 
                ``Stop.Think.Connect.'' campaign, we are aiming to 
                increase awareness of the simple steps people can take 
                to strengthen their cybersecurity. The National Cyber 
                Security Alliance, in partnership with the private 
                sector and non-profit organizations, recently launched 
                the ``Lock Down Your Login'' campaign to empower 
                Americans to take control of their online accounts and 
                add an extra layer of

[[Page 69372]]

                security beyond just using passwords. I encourage every 
                American to take this important step and to visit 
                www.LockDownYourLogin.com to learn more.

                Keeping America safe requires us to bolster our 
                security online. This month, we renew our commitment to 
                ensuring our information is more secure, our data is 
                safer, and our families and businesses are more 
                protected than ever before. If we work toward this 
                goal--as individuals and as a Nation--together we can 
                realize our full potential in the digital age.

                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 2016 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 sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-24346
Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P