WHEREAS, the State of Nevada recognizes that IT plays a vital role in identifying, protecting its citizens from, and responding to cybersecurity threats that may have significant impact to our individual and collective safety and privacy; and

WHEREAS, critical infrastructure (i.e., financial services, educational institutions, energy, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, health care, and emergency response systems, etc.) is increasingly reliant on the support of information systems and technology; and

WHEREAS, cybersecurity education and awareness are crucial for everyone, including large corporations, small businesses, financial institutions, schools, government agencies, non-profit organizations, the home user, and anyone who connects to the internet, be it with a computer, mobile phone, or other internet-connected device; and

WHEREAS, monitoring your accounts, being conscientious of what you share online, keeping computer software up to date, creating unique passwords and changing them regularly, installing antivirus programs and firewalls, and using mobile devices and other internet-connected devices safely, are ways people and organizations can protect themselves from phishing, viruses, ransomware, other types of malware, financial loss, and loss of sensitive data; and

WHEREAS, we showcase the need to inspire, engage, and inform the public about the demand, opportunities, and career options available within the area of cybersecurity and highlight how building the nation's and Nevada's cybersecurity workforce enhances the nation's security and promotes economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Critical Controls are free resources to help organizations (both large and small, public and private) improve their cybersecurity practices through a practical approach to addressing the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats and challenges; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Information Security was established in April 2003 and the Office of Cyber Defense Coordination was established in July 2017 to jointly enhance and protect the State of Nevada's cybersecurity ecosystem, because maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which each of us has a critical role to play, and awareness of essential cyber hygiene will improve the security of State of Nevada's information, infrastructure, and economy; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government of the United States of America, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (www.cisa.gov), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac), the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (www.nascio.org), and the National Cyber Security Alliance (www.staysafeonline.org) recognize October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month; and that in recognition of this, the 20th year of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, all citizens are encouraged to reduce online risks by visiting these websites, using the resources and learning about cybersecurity so they can put that knowledge into practice in their homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2023 as

CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN NEVADA