White House declares October cybersecurity awareness month

President Barack Obama issued a proclamation Oct. 3 declaring October as cybersecurity month in an effort to heighten awareness of the nation's "fundamental reliance" on digital infrastructure and its role as a strategic national asset.

The proclamation states that all Americans should be involved in securing the nation's networks and personal information, and notes that the White House is actively working with the public and private sectors to ensure coordinated and planned responses to cyber incidents similar to the way it reacts swiftly to natural disasters.

The proclamation may not halt cyber spies from continuing to try to steal America's most precious military and intelligence secrets, but it is certainly among the first steps necessary to boost cyber awareness at all levels throughout the nation, notes Philip Ewing at DOD Buzz.