Bill Text: NJ SJR126 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October of each year as "Cyber Security Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-11-15 - Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading [SJR126 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-SJR126-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October of each year as "Cyber Security Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of October of each year as "Cyber Security Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey.
Whereas, Universal access to cyberspace has become a vital resource in our society, allowing the residents of New Jersey to better connect with family and friends, complete business transactions remotely, work more efficiently, achieve educational goals, and connect to digital resources and services; and
Whereas, Protecting cyberspace should be of paramount importance, as this infrastructure is vulnerable to a wide range of threats perpetrated through cyberspace, such as banking and financial fraud, intellectual property violations, child pornography, human exploitation, and other crimes, all of which have substantial social and economic consequences; and
Whereas, In 2017, the Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey Division of State Police (DSP) announced that 687 cyber data breaches affecting more than 116,000 New Jersey account holders were reported to the DSP in calendar year 2016; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell brings together analysts and engineers for cyber security information sharing, threat analysis, and incident reporting to fight against cyber threats on behalf of New Jersey residents and businesses; and
Whereas, While the government can take steps to maintain a safe cyber community, the government alone cannot solve the problem, as cyber security is a shared responsibility; and
Whereas, The federal "Stop.Think.Connect." campaign has been designated as the national public awareness campaign implemented through a coalition of private companies, nonprofits, government organizations, and academic institutions working together to increase the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online; and
Whereas, The President of the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, and the National Cyber Security Alliance have declared the month of October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month; and
Whereas,
The State of New Jersey recognizes that it is in the best interest of its
citizens that people of all ages should know how to take appropriate measures
to protect their online accounts and personal information and declares October
as "Cyber Security Awareness Month" in this State to educate and inform the
residents of New Jersey about the risks of the internet and the importance of
being safe and responsible online; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October of each year is designated as "Cyber Security Awareness Month" in New Jersey to educate the citizens of the State on the risks of the Internet and the importance of being safe and responsible online.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials, private organizations, and all citizens of this State to observe "Cyber Security Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of October as "Cyber Security Awareness Month" in New Jersey to educate the citizens of the State on the risks of the Internet and the importance of being safe and responsible cyberspace users. The resolution also requires the Governor to issue a proclamation calling on public officials and citizens of New Jersey to observe October as "Cyber Security Awareness Month."
Access to cyberspace has become a vital resource in our society, allowing the residents of New Jersey to better connect with family and friends, complete business transactions remotely, work more efficiently, achieve educational goals, and connect to digital resources and services. Although this access to cyberspace provides many benefits, there are also potential risks to our confidential information, personal privacy, and personal safety. This resolution will allow the State to increase awareness, education, and training to create a digital community that is safer in this State.
