[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
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,

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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 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

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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.
BARACK OBAMA