If you own an internet-connected device and like to surf the web, awareness of how you can protect yourself from cyber-attacks should already be a paramount issue. However, if you have not been the victim of a hack or a phishing expedition, you may think cybersecurity awareness is important only to the government or large businesses.
If you feel that way after the Russian cyber attack on our 2016 elections, it’s time to wake up. Cybersecurity involves anyone who uses a device with an internet connection.
For skeptics and believers alike, October brings an event that provides numerous learning opportunities relating to cybersecurity, including how to protect yourself and/or your business from a cyber attack.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October 2018 is the 15th National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). A collaborative effort between the U.S. government and industry, it is an annual promotion to teach Americans the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that every person has the resources they need to protect themselves from cyber attacks.
The Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance manages the initiative every year. It is an outreach to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations, educational institutions, and individuals across the country. For the eighth year in a row, a major theme in the campaign is STOP, THINK, CONNECT™. Issues of importance in the campaign include “Keeping A Clean Machine,” “Protecting Your Personal Information,” “Connecting With Care,” “Be Web Wise,” “Be A Good Online Citizen,” “Own Your Online Presence” and “Lock Down Your Login.”
Each week of October will highlight a specific theme:
- October 1 – 5: Make Your Home A Haven For Online Safety
- October 8 – 12: Millions Of Rewarding Jobs: Educating For A Career In Cybersecurity
- October 15 – 19: It’s Everyone’s Job To Ensure Online Safety At Work
- October 22 – 26: Safeguarding The Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
You can follow the campaign on the website sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance.
The site invites you to get involved and shows how to do so on social media, from home, in your community, and at work and school.
The site also describes how to become a champion in the campaign and provides the names of organizations that have already signed up. Champions include:
- Companies and organizations
- Schools and school districts
- Colleges and universities
- Nonprofits
- Government organizations
- Individuals
The site contains detailed information about the planned events for the month including when, where, and who to contact for more information, questions, and to sign up to participate.
There is also information on cyber safety topics including:
- How To Stay Safe Online
- Online Safety Basics
- Responding To Identity, Theft, Fraud, and Cybercrimes
- How To “CyberSecure My Business™”
It’s a free and easily-accessible campaign, so you should definitely take advantage of it to learn more about protecting yourself from a cyber attack.
To learn more about how we can help, check out ThreatWarrior to see our cyber defense capabilities including as a network detection and response vendor.
