TITLE
Title
PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2026 AS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN GUILFORD COUNTY
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner Brandon Gray-Hill
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RESOLUTION
Resolution
WHEREAS, Guilford County recognizes the critical importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the personal information, financial assets, and essential services relied upon by residents, businesses, and public institutions; and
WHEREAS, digital technology is foundational to modern life, supporting everything from public safety and health care to education, utilities, and local government operations; and
WHEREAS, cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and identity theft continue to rise in frequency and sophistication, posing serious risks to individuals and organizations alike; and
WHEREAS, artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced new dimensions to cyber threats, including deepfake impersonations, voice cloning scams, AI-generated phishing emails, and malicious chatbots, increasing the complexity and scale of social engineering attacks; and
WHEREAS, Guilford County is firmly committed to securing its own infrastructure, protecting the data entrusted to us by our residents, and ensuring the continuity of critical public services. We strive to stay current with cybersecurity best practices, reduce risks, and prevent service interruptions while maintaining the safety and trust of our community; and
WHEREAS, while Guilford County does not manage or secure private or external systems, we are dedicated to promoting cybersecurity awareness across our region and providing ongoing education to both employees and the public; and
WHEREAS, proactive measures-such as enabling multi-factor authentication, using strong and unique passwords, regularly updating software, and verifying sources of communications-can significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents; and
WHEREAS, national campaigns such as Don’t Make It Easy for Them™ and Securing the Next 250™ help to educate the public and promote a safer, more secure digital world for everyone;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Guilford County Board of County Commissioners do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month and encourages all residents businesses, institutions and government agencies to observe this month by taking action to protect their digital presence, remain vigilant against evolving cyber threats, and support collective efforts to build a safer, more resilient cyber environment for all.
ADOPTED this the 1st day of October 2026.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Proclaim October 2026 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Guilford County.
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