National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

This fall marks the fifth annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The Department of Homeland Security's National Cybersecurity Division (NCSD) is once again actively engaging public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to increase overall awareness and minimize vulnerabilities. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a campaign designed to educate all citizens and key public and private sector partners on cyber threats and how to safeguard themselves at home, work and school.

It is the shared responsibility of all computer users to take steps to protect their portion of cyberspace and stay safe online.

How You Can Contribute to Cybersecurity Awareness

Here are a few steps that you can take to not only take part in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but also practice cybersecurity 365 days a year:

1. Change your passwords. Encourage others to do the same.
2. Make sure that your anti-virus software and firewalls are up-to-date. New threats are discovered every day and keeping your software updated is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from an attack. Set your computer to automatically update for you.
3. Hold an event at your local school or college campus designed to increase student and staff cybersecurity education and awareness. Download EDUCAUSE's cyber resource kit online at www.educause.edu. Print and post cybersecurity tips near your computer. Review them with your family.
4. Print and post cybersecurity tips near your computer. Review them with your family.
5. Create a separate section for cybersecurity tips on your organization's Web site. Download online buttons and banners about phishing, identity theft, file-sharing, and other cybersecurity topics at www.msisac.org or www.OnGuardOnline.gov and post them to your organization's home page.
6. Use regular communications - newsletters, email alerts, Web sites, etc. - to increase awareness on issues like updating software processes, protecting personal identifiable information, and securing your wireless network.
7. Subscribe to the National Cyber Alert System from the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team at www.us-cert.gov. Through the Alert System, you can receive timely information about current cybersecurity problems to protect home and office computers. This information includes weekly bulletins with summaries of new vulnerabilities, patch information when available, and tips on common security topics, such as privacy, e-mail spam, and wireless protection.
8. Talk to people that you know - your children, co-workers, friends - about good online safety and security habits, including protecting personal information and reputation. Post links to www.staysafeonline.org and www.us-cert.gov to your community listserv.
9. Back up key files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc, and store it in a safe place.
10. Make cybersecurity a habit. Everyone needs to focus on cybersecurity every month, not just in October.

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Key Partnerships

The Department partners with a number of cybersecurity organizations throughout the year to educate all citizens on the importance of implementing effective cybersecurity practices. These partnerships also make National Cybersecurity Awareness Month possible by uniting public and private sector efforts to secure cyberspace. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month materials and resources can be found at the following sites:

• The National Cybersecurity Division outlines the organization's strategic objectives.
• The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) offers safety tips, incident reports, and the latest cyber alerts.
• The Federal Trade Commission's OnGuard Online site gives practical tips and numerous downloadable print and Web materials on avoiding Internet fraud and protecting personal information.
• The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center  comprises members for all 50 states, local governments, and U.S. territories and districts, and provides downloadable awareness materials including newsletters, posters, bookmarks, and briefings.
• The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA) is a collaborative effort among experts in the security, non-profit, academic and government fields to teach consumers, small businesses and members of the education community about Internet security by providing free tips, checklists and best practices for remaining safe while online.

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Events

This comprehensive outreach campaign is aimed at bringing attention to the importance of protecting yourself, your family, and your personal information while online, and these events seek to empower Americans to take steps to secure their own part of cyberspace.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month events include:

• A kick-off event at the National Press Club
• A national satellite media tour with the National Cybersecurity Alliance to educate Americans on the steps they can take to stay safe online
• A national webcast with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center on how computer users can take steps to prevent themselves from becoming victims of phishing scams
• A partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to launch a series of regional cybersecurity roundtables around the country

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