October 2022: Cybersecurity Awareness Month

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan recognizes that it plays a vital role in identifying, protecting its residents 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 is crucial for everyone, including large corporations, small businesses, financial institutions, schools, government agencies, 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-connect 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 Michigan’s cybersecurity workforce enhances the nation’s security and promotes economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS, I am dedicated to providing every individual and public and private organization in the state of Michigan the resources necessary to ensure the understanding, implementation, and success of Cybersecurity Awareness Month to help the residents of Michigan stay safe online and connect with confidence; and

WHEREAS, the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign serves as the national cybersecurity public awareness campaign, implemented through a coalition of private companies, nonprofit, government organizations, and academic institutions working together to increase the public’s understanding of cyber threats and empowering Americans to be safer and more secure online; and

WHEREAS, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework is a free resource 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, 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 Michigan’s information, infrastructure, and economy; and 

WHEREAS, the Michigan Cyber Command Center (MiC3) was established in 2013 to enhance and protect the state of Michigan’s cybersecurity ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government of the United States of America, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA.gov), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (CISecurity.org/ms-isac), the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO.org), and the National Cyber Security Alliance (StaySafeOnline.org) all recognize October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month; and all residents are encouraged to visit these websites, along with Michigan.gov/cybersecurity and the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign website (CISA.gov/StopThinkConnect or StopThinkConnect.org) to learn about cybersecurity to put that knowledge into practice in their homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2022 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Michigan.