WHEREAS, Alaska continues to expand broadband and other critical infrastructure and Alaskans continue to leverage information systems and technology to support financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, health care, and emergency response systems; and
WHEREAS, Alaska provides critical military, infrastructure, and energy capacity that relies on complex information technology (IT) networks; and
WHEREAS, cutting edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Transportation create ever-evolving opportunities and new challenges in how Alaskans work and interact; and
WHEREAS, building our cybersecurity workforce enhances security and promotes economic prosperity; and
WHEREAS, cybersecurity education is crucial for everyone’s safety, especially as cybercriminals become more sophisticated in their targeting of consumers as well as public and private organizations; and
WHEREAS, election security is of utmost importance to our democracy, and the malicious use of evolving technologies such as deepfakes and synthetic media undermines fair and free elections, highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans can protect themselves from cyberattacks by being conscientious of what is shared online; keeping computer software up-to-date, creating unique passwords and changing them regularly, installing antivirus programs and firewalls, and using mobile devices safely; and
WHEREAS, the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign is the national cybersecurity public awareness campaign to increase the public’s understanding of cyber threats and empower Americans to be safer and more secure online; and
WHEREAS, all Alaskans share in the responsibility to maintain cyberspace security, and by learning safe internet practices, we can all improve our personal security and protect our information infrastructure and economy.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as:
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to educate themselves on threats posed by cybercriminals, understand safe cyber-use strategies, and put them into practice to better ensure personal security and privacy.
Dated: October 1, 2024
