Governor Stein Proclaims Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the State of North Carolina plays a vital role in identifying and responding to cybersecurity threats that might have significant impacts on our individual and collective data security and privacy; and

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

Whereas, North Carolina’s whole-of-state approach to cybersecurity and the work of the North Carolina Joint Cybersecurity Task Force provide for increased threat intelligence sharing, enhanced prevention, better preparedness and response, and a unified approach to statewide cyberdefense; and

Whereas, cyberattacks are ever evolving, and new technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, are enabling more sophisticated cyberattacks that continue to be an increasing concern for state, local, and academic institutions; and

Whereas, North Carolina is committed to investing in and expanding a world-class cybersecurity workforce, building a robust pipeline of skilled professionals, and attracting leading cybersecurity talent and companies to protect our state’s digital infrastructure; and

Whereas, everyone can help protect themselves from phishing, viruses, malware, and loss of sensitive data by developing good cyber habits such as monitoring their accounts, being mindful of what they share online, keeping operating systems and applications current with vendor supplied updates, creating strong and unique passwords and changing them periodically, enabling multifactor authentication where possible, and installing anti-virus programs and firewalls;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fifth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.