WHEREAS, for over 20 years, the President of the United States and Congress have designated October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month as a dedicated time for public and private sectors to work collaboratively to raise awareness about the importance of taking daily action to reduce cyber risks when online and using connected devices; and

WHEREAS, this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is “Building a Cyber Strong America,” emphasizing the importance of strengthening our nation’s critical infrastructure against cyber attacks, ensuring our resilience and security; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine, Office of Information Technology recognizes its vital role in identifying, protecting against, and responding to cybersecurity threats and is working collaboratively with public and private sector entities to raise awareness that cybersecurity is more than an information technology issue, it is a public safety and economic security priority; and

WHEREAS, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and there are simple measures that you, your family and your business can take to stay safe online, including enabling multifactor authentication, using strong passwords, regularly updating software, and recognizing and reporting phishing; and

WHEREAS, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is recognized by the United States Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the National Association of State Chief lnformation Officers, and the National Cyber Security Alliance; and

WHEREAS, all citizens are encouraged to learn more about cybersecurity and the steps they can take to be safer online at CISA's cybersecurity awareness program website, www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month, and the National Cyber Security Alliance website, www.staysafeonline.org;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty fifth day of September Two Thousand Twenty-Five