WHEREAS, many citizens, schools, libraries, businesses and other organizations use the Internet for a variety of tasks, including keeping in contact with family and friends, managing finances, conducting research, enhancing education and conducting business; and

WHEREAS, critical sectors are increasingly reliant on information systems to support financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, health care, and emergency response systems; and

WHEREAS, Internet users and our information infrastructure face an increasing threat of malicious attack by viruses and loss of privacy from spyware and adware; each year there are significant financial and personal privacy losses due to identity theft and fraud; and

WHEREAS, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) was established in January 2003 to provide a collaborative mechanism to help states and local governments enhance cyber security; and the Nevada Department of Information Technology, Office of Information Security provides a comprehensive approach to help enhance the security of this State; and 

WHEREAS, there are national organizations, such as the non-profit National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), policymakers, government agencies, private sector companies, and non-profit entities helping consumers, businesses, educational leaders and our youth to protect themselves online; and

WHEREAS, each one of us plays an important role in securing our cyberspace and awareness of computer security essentials will improve the security of the State of Nevada’s information infrastructure and economy; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the National Cyber Security Alliance have declared October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2009 as: