Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2021

In simple terms

President Biden proclaimed October 2021 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, urging Americans and organizations to improve cybersecurity practices. The proclamation describes ongoing administration efforts including a cybersecurity executive order, critical infrastructure coordination with the private sector, a 100-day electric sector initiative, and the launch of StopRansomware.gov, but contains no binding mandates.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 55443

Record & deadlines

Sep 30, 2021Signed
Signed by the President
Oct 5, 2021FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 86 FR 55443
Federal Register PDF
Date TBD
100-day electric sector cybersecurity initiative (already underway at signing)
Oct 1, 2021
Cybersecurity Awareness Month begins

Key directives

Proclaim October 2021 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Call upon people, businesses, and institutions to recognize importance of cybersecurity
Call upon Americans to take action to better protect against cyber threats
Call upon Americans to observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month

What to expect

Immediate

Proclamation of October 2021 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Near term (90d)

Cybersecurity Awareness Month observances (October 2021)
Continuation of 100-day electric sector cybersecurity initiative
Extension of initiative to gas pipelines

Long term

Ongoing private sector coordination on critical infrastructure cybersecurity
Federal acquisition of products meeting strong cybersecurity standards per referenced EO

Risks & tensions

Proclamation references executive order and ongoing initiatives but does not establish new binding requirements
Vague on specific accountability mechanisms for private sector coordination
'Working to extend' gas pipeline initiative lacks concrete timeline