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Recognizing October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, and acknowledging the importance of empowering individuals and organizations to prevent and recognize online threats, providing resources to protect sensitive data, and fostering a culture of digital safety by educating the public on best practices.
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WHEREAS, Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) is an annual international campaign that is observed in October to raise awareness about cybersecurity best practices and the importance of online safety. It is a collaborative effort by the public and private sector such as the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to educate the public on protecting themselves from cyber threats, encouraging discussions about digital security, and promoting secure online actions; and
WHEREAS, In October 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month was established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NCSA. The initiative aimed to promote best practices for online safety and security and increase public awareness of cybersecurity threats. Since its inception, the President and Congress have annually declared October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Cybersecurity is the art of protecting devices, networks, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information; and
WHEREAS, Cybersecurity is a public safety and economic security priority. The government and private entities have designed and implemented tailored cybersecurity plans and processes to better safeguard operations that will protect our critical infrastructures; and
WHEREAS, The 2026 theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month used by NCSA is “Securing the Next 250”, which recognizes the nation’s 250th anniversary and focuses on building a secure digital future for America’s next era; and
WHEREAS, Cyberattacks are extremely detrimental to cybersecurity leading to widespread business disruptions, massive financial losses, and significant erosion of trust and reputation for organizations. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities within our critical infrastructures and undermine public trust in institutions and the government. In 2019, a ransomware attack incapacitated the digital systems of the city of Baltimore leaving the municipal government systems comprised until the ransom was paid; and
WHEREAS, Cybersecurity is vital to protect our organizational and personal data from damage, theft, and unauthorized access by cyber threats like ransomware and phishing attacks. Cybersecurity awareness helps to ensure the continuity of business operations, protects critical infrastructure, maintains trust in digital systems, and helps comply with data privacy regulations; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, and acknowledges the importance of empowering individuals and organizations to prevent and recognize online threats, provide resources to protect sensitive data, and foster a culture of digital safety by educating the public on best practices.
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