DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Proclaim October 2025 As Cyber Security Awareness Month
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim October 2025 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance have traditionally designated October as Cyber Security Awareness Month. The National Association of Counties is encouraging member counties to also promote Cyber Security Awareness Month to bring attention to the increasing cyber security threats all levels of governments and residents are facing.
Dakota County provides a wide variety of services that expose the County to different types of sensitive information. Staff work with health care and welfare records, criminal justice data, property and environmental records, financial and social security identifiers, information on veterans, minors and other staff. The nature of the information and data maintained by Dakota County puts the County at risk of cyber-attacks.
The Dakota County Information Technology Department, with the support of the County Board, Risk Management, and other departments, is continually working to improve our security defenses in response to escalating cyber threats. Cybersecurity threats have continued to increase. In response we have increased, and will continue to increase, our monitoring and reporting. All these changes make the County network more secure from outside threats. Because human error is widely considered the cause of at least a quarter of all reportable security breaches, it is critical that everyone understand their role in securing information. To that end, the County has a training plan that requires employees to stay current on threats and their responsibility in mitigating them.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommend the County Board proclaim October 2025 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Dakota County.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, counties recognize the vital role that the internet and information technology play in their county staffs’ and residents’ daily lives; and
WHEREAS, counties understand that critical sectors are increasingly reliant on information systems to support financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, health care and emergency response systems; and
WHEREAS, internet users and the nation’s information infrastructure face an increasing threat of malicious cyber-attack, loss of privacy from spyware and adware, and significant financial and personal privacy losses due to identity theft and fraud; and
WHEREAS, maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which everyone has a critical role, and awareness of computer security essentials will improve the security of Dakota County information infrastructure and economy; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance have promoted an annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and all government entities and citizens are encouraged to learn about cyber security and put that knowledge into practice in their homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim the month of October 2025 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Dakota County.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Tony Gomes
Author: Sherry Falb-Joslin