Sen. Carper Highlights National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) highlighted the beginning of the 7^th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to help Americans establish smart cyber habits that will lead to increased protection online. 

"Cybersecurity ranks as one of the top threats to our nation," said Sen. Tom Carper, a senior Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and a co-author of comprehensive cybersecurity reform legislation. "I hope this month educates Delawareans and all Americans about the importance of cyber security and the threat it poses to our safety. Eventually, I hope Americans are aware of this critical issue every day, not just one month out of the year. I am proud that Delaware continues to be a leader in teaching others about the importance of being vigilant with our information security." 

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is conducted every October by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). The public cybersecurity awareness campaign is designed to encourage Americans to protect their computers and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a part of the "Stop. Think. Connect." public education campaign, which is a national initiative recently launched by DHS to increase public understanding of cyber threats and to help individuals develop safer cyber habits that will ensure more secure networks. The "Stop. Think. Connect." campaign fulfills a key element of President Obama’s 2009 Cyberspace Policy Review, which tasked DHS with developing a public awareness campaign to inform Americans about ways to use technology safely.

Sen. Carper has been a national leader on cybersecurity issues. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security, Sen. Carper has held several hearings examining ways to more effectively secure the nation’s networks from cyber attacks. In June, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010, that was authored by Sens. Carper, Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Me.). The bill aims to modernize, strengthen and coordinate the security of federal, civilian and private sector critical infrastructure cyber networks.

To learn more about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and download free online safety tips and resources, visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1158611596104.shtm.