The "American Cybersecurity Literacy Act" directs the Assistant Secretary to create a campaign educating Americans on cybersecurity best practices to reduce risks and improve national security.
Jay Obernolte
Representative
CA-23
The American Cybersecurity Literacy Act directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish a cybersecurity literacy campaign. The goal of the campaign is to educate the public on cybersecurity best practices, including how to identify phishing attempts, secure devices, and mitigate risks associated with public Wi-Fi. This initiative aims to improve overall cybersecurity awareness and protect individuals and the economy from cyber threats.
Got Phished Lately? New Bill Aims to Boost Your Cyber Smarts with National Education Campaign
The proposed "American Cybersecurity Literacy Act" tasks a key official—the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information—with creating and running a nationwide cybersecurity literacy campaign. The core mission, as laid out in the bill, is straightforward: boost the public's knowledge of everyday cybersecurity best practices to help protect both national security and the economy by making individuals safer online.
Your Cyber Self-Defense Toolkit
Think of this as a plan for a national crash course in digital street smarts. The campaign mandated by Section 3 aims to teach practical skills everyone can use. This includes getting better at spotting phishing emails (those fake login pages or urgent requests for info), understanding why changing default passwords on devices is critical, and knowing how to identify secure websites (look for the 'https'). It also emphasizes using common but crucial security tools effectively: things like multi-factor authentication (MFA), creating complex passwords, keeping anti-virus software current, performing regular software updates, and potentially using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), especially when connecting away from home.
Beyond Your Laptop: Securing Your Connected Life
The bill acknowledges that cyber risks aren't just about computers anymore. It specifically calls out the need to educate people about securing smartphones, tablets, Wi-Fi routers, smart home appliances, webcams, and the ever-growing list of internet-connected devices (often called the 'Internet of Things'). The campaign would also cover smart mobile habits, like reviewing app permissions before installing, sticking to trusted app stores, and considering a product's security update policy before buying. Finally, it tackles the risks of using public Wi-Fi and offers guidance on how to minimize potential exposure, aiming to empower people with resources to better manage their cybersecurity posture in an increasingly connected world.