Aims to Raise Public Awareness
This month, October, is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) and it’s now in its 15th year as an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. NCSAM 2018 is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online, while increasing the resiliency of the Nation during cyber-threats.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the federal, national lead for NCSAM. DHS also co-leads NCSAM with the National Cyber Security Alliance.
The primary purpose of NCSAM is to highlight user awareness among consumers, educators, and business. The month addresses specific challenges and identifies opportunities for everyone to assess the risks involved with internet usage and change behavior as necessary to minimize risk.
A major focus is to remind everyone that protecting the internet is “Our Shared Responsibility.” The month also provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the critical need to build a strong, cyber-secure workforce to help ensure families, communities, businesses and the country’s infrastructure are better protected.
Make Your Home a Haven for Online Safety
Every day, parents are teaching their kids basic safety practices ‒ like looking both ways before crossing the street and holding an adult’s hand in a crowded place. Easy-to-learn life lessons for online safety and privacy also begin with parents leading the way.
With family members using the internet to engage in social media, adjust the home thermostat or shop for the latest connected toy, it is vital to make certain that the entire household ‒ including children – learn to use the internet safely and responsibly and that networks and mobile devices are secure.
Be careful who you trust. Be aware of catfishing schemes. It happens when a person sets up a fake online profile, usually on social media or dating sites, and targets people with the goal of asking for money.
Educating for a Career in Cybersecurity
A key risk to our economy and security continues to be the shortage of cybersecurity professionals to safeguard our ever-expanding cyber ecosystem. Raising the next generation of interested and capable cybersecurity professionals is a starting point to building stronger defenses. There are limitless opportunities to educate students of all ages – from high school into higher education and beyond – on the field of cybersecurity as they consider their options. In addition, veterans and individuals who are looking for a new career or re-entering the workforce should explore the multitude of well-paying and rewarding jobs available.
It’s Everyone’s Job to Ensure Online Safety
When you are on the job – whether it’s at a corporate office, local community bank, health care provider, at school or in the public sector ‒ your organization’s online safety and security are a responsibility we all share.
Use of multi- or two-factor authentication or login approval – two-step verification provides an extra layer of security beyond your username and password to protect against account hijacking. Also, make sure internet sites are encrypted with an SSL certificate. While this process sounds complicated, it’s actually one of the simplest and quickest things to do for your online security.
When on a website, check the URL. Does it start with “https://” or “https://”? If you notice an s at the end, that means your connection is encrypted and secure, so any data you enter is safely sent to the website.
The lines between our work and daily lives have become increasingly blurred. As a result, it is more important than ever to be certain that smart cybersecurity carries over between the two. NCSA’s CyberSecure My Business is at the following link: https://staysafeonline.org/cybersecure-business/ helps to shed light on how small and medium-sized businesses can protect themselves, their employees and their customers against the most prevalent threats.
Safeguarding the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
Our day-to-day life depends on our Nation’s sectors of critical infrastructure, which supply food, water, financial services, public health, communications and power along with other networks and systems. A disruption to this system, which is operated via the internet, can have significant and even catastrophic consequences for our Nation. We must secure our critical infrastructure and highlight the roles the public can play in keeping it safe.
Chelsea State Bank urges you to learn more about what you can do to enhance cybersecurity at home, school, and work. Click the link to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Cybersecurity for more information: https://www.dhs.gov/topic/cybersecurity
