GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CYBER SECURITY THREATS
IS MESSAGE BEHIND SENATE-PASSED RESOLUTION

Cochran Cosponsored Bill Setting October as “National Cyber Security Awareness Month”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate has passed a resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to increase awareness among individuals, businesses and government entities of the steps that should be taken to protect themselves from a growing international and domestic threat to digital systems and data.

The Senate approved the National Cyber Security Awareness Month Resolution (S.Res.285) by unanimous consent.  The measure sets October 2009 aside to highlight the need for greater cyber security awareness in all segments of American society—from young children to officials who run the largest companies and government agencies to senior citizens.

“I hope Mississippians will take the month of October to learn more about cyber security in order to ensure that the Internet remains a positive tool in our homes, schools and workplaces,” Cochran said.

 “The Internet is a tool that can enhance education, foster commerce and facilitate communication.  But as our reliance on this technology increases, we must also be more aware that it can be used to endanger our children, our financial safety and our national security,” he said.

The National Cyber Security Awareness Month initiative is promoted by several organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance. The Alliance’s Stay Safe Online website offers cyber security tools and resource information for home users, K-12 educators, post-secondary institutions and small businesses.

The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services is a member of the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center that also sponsors the cyber security month.  The MS-ISAC is a collaborative state and local government-focused cyber security organization aimed at enhancing cyber threat prevention and protection.

Cochran, the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted that Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi have been recognized for its cyber security programs, including MSU’s Center for Computer Security and Research and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center and USM’s Homeland Open Security Technology (HOST) program.

In addition, the U.S. Air Force in July announced its decision to locate its new Undergraduate Cyberspace Training unit at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.  This training is expected to start up in 2010.