News

New National Cyber Security Awareness Month Web Portal Offers Wealth of Resources to Stay Safe Online

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is a coordinated national effort focusing on the need for improved online safety and security for all Americans. NCSA, along with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, has sponsored National Cyber Security Awareness Month every October since its founding in 2003. These three organizations work together to empower consumers, schools, businesses and government agencies to stay safe online, devoting the full month of October to public awareness and education.

This year’s theme “Our Shared Responsibility,” aims to amplify the importance for all Internet users to do their part in making the Internet safer. There are opportunities for all audiences to get involved. Companies, organizations, libraries, universities and others throughout the nation are encouraged to celebrate the month in their own unique ways reaching their customers, students and citizens.  Many groups have already begun planning major activities and offerings for NCSAM. A few examples of these activities include:

• Online Trust Forum 2012, October 1-3, 2012, San Jose, CA
  The Forum will provide an interactive combination of keynotes, panels and workshops addressing key issues and opportunities including mobile, privacy, security, identity and brand protection. Speakers will critique best practices providing attendees prescriptive and actionable advice.  Additionally, in support of NCSAM, on Oct 4^th, Online Trust Alliance (OTA) is hosting the OTA Academy; three, full-day multi-stakeholder workshops and training sessions addressing top threats impacting user’s security, privacy and identity. The sessions are titled: Mobile Privacy Boot Camp, Botnet Remediation Workshop and Email and Domain Authentication training.  For more information, visit: https://otalliance.org/forum.html.

• SOeC Cybersecurity Symposium & Awards, October 11 – 12, 2012, San Diego, CA
  Securing Our eCity® Foundation is hosting a security awareness education event that will explore the importance of cybersecurity for businesses from the perspective of A Day In the Life Of A Cyber Investigator.  Cybersecurity experts will share their expertise, experience and solutions with the symposium’s attendees. For more information, visit: http://securingourecity.org/2012oct.

• Cyber Maryland Conference & Maryland Cyber Challenge and Competition, October 16-17, 2012, Baltimore, MD
  More than 1,000 people will convene during NCSAM for the regions premiere professional cybersecurity gathering. Visit: http://www.fbcinc.com/e/cybermdconference/default.aspx for details. The Maryland Cyber Challenge & Competition (MDC3) is also returning for the second year in a row as the state’s biggest cybersecurity battle. MDC3 is the only event of its kind to offer three levels of competition: high school, college and professional.  Learn more and register at http://mdc3.org/.

Other events are listed on the NCSAM portal and anyone can list their events there as well. Additionally, in the lead up to National Cyber Security Awareness Month, interested participants can join STOP. THINK. CONNECT., the National Cyber Security Alliance and other guests on September 20^th from 3-4:00 p.m. ET for a Twitter Chat to learn easy ways to get involved during NCSAM. Participants can register at: http://chatstcseptember202012.eventbrite.com/ or use the hashtag #ChatSTC during the event to join the conversation.

“Everyday, as we get closer to National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we get news about exciting efforts planned for October to raise awareness about the importance of online security,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. “We encourage everyone to visit the new NCSAM Web portal and get ideas about how to engage in awareness activities.”

Kaiser added: “Everyone can get involved through STOP. THINK. CONNECT. to take security measures, understand the implications of your actions and behavior, and enjoy the benefits of the Internet.”   

National Cyber Security Awareness Month will kick-off in Omaha, Nebraska on October 1^st. Find details here: http://ncsamkickoff.eventbrite.com/ The National Cyber Security Awareness Month Web Portal is also available at http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/ and a calendar of NCSAM events can be found at http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/events. You can connect with the organization for the latest news and updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline and on Twitter at @StaySafeOnline. The official Twitter hashtag of NCSAM is #ncsam. NCSA also welcomes organizations to show their support for NCSAM by becoming an official NCSAM Champion and submitting their registration at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/champions/.

About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a non-profit organization. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to educate and empower a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protecting themselves and the technology they use and the digital assets we all share. NCSA board members include: ADP, AT&T, Bank of America, EMC Corporation, ESET, Facebook, Google, Intel, McAfee, Microsoft, PayPal, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Symantec, Trend Micro, Verizon and Visa. Visit www.staysafeonline.org for more information and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline. 

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
The campaign was developed by the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Messaging Convention, a public-private partnership established in 2009 and led by The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) to develop and support a national cybersecurity awareness campaign.  The Department of Homeland Security provides the Federal Government's leadership for the campaign. Industry, government, non-profits and education institutions participate in STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Learn how to get involved at the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/STOPTHINKCONNECT, on Twitter at @STOPTHNKCONNECT, and the campaign website at www.stopthinkconnect.org.