October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Sep 28, 2012 10:48am


October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. NCSAM Button

The theme for National Cyber Security Awareness Month is, “the Internet is a shared resource and securing it is our Shared Responsibility.”

We all need to do our part to make the Internet safer and more secure.

But what is your part?

Well, that depends on where and how you use the Internet.

Governments, large and small companies, schools, non-profits and individual technology users should be aware of the vulnerabilities they might experience and take measures to address them.

Additionally, in October we ask everyone to take some time to educate the people in their orbit about staying safe online.

It could be going to your children’s classroom and teaching online safety, reminding employees of company Internet usage polices or posting materials on school, community centers or police station bulletin boards. There are many ways and many resources available.

There is also personal responsibility. And that starts with each of us doing our part and it begins with STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Everyone needs to take security precautions, understand the potential consequences of actions and behaviors and connect and enjoy the benefits of the Internet.

Some ways to start doing that include:

  • Keeping a Clean Machine and making sure your devices are malware- free and have updated software, web browsers and operating system.
  • Owning Your Online Presence by setting security and privacy settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing.
  • When in doubt throwing Out Suspicious Links in emails, advertisements, social media posts and other communications.
  • Being a Good Digital Citizen and posting only about others as you would have them post about you. 

These are easy ways you can make a difference and help make the Internet safer and more secure for all. You can learn more at the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. website,  www.stopthinkconnect.org.

You can also get involved in National Cyber Security Awareness Month.  We have ways for you to show your support, whether you have 5 minutes or an entire day to spare.

Here are some ideas:

  • Hold a “family conference” to discuss how each member of the family can help to make their personal computer and other online devices safe from cyberattacks. Read through and discuss the suggestions from the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. tip sheet. (Download at http://staysafeonline.org/stop-think-connect/tips-and-advice.)
  • Add the following signature line to the bottom of all your emails, “October 2012 is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Let’s make our online lives safer and more secure! Check out details at http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam.”

We have specific ways teachers, schools, businesses, libraries, local government, community groups, law enforcement and religious-based groups can get involved in National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/get-involved/ for more information.

Each week in October, we’ll focus on a different cybersecurity topic:

Week 1 October 1-5, 2012
Theme: STOP. THINK. CONNECT. and General Online Safety

Week 2 October 8-12, 2012
Theme: Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity

Week 3: October 15-19, 2012
Theme: Online Safety for Business/Industry

Week 4: October 22-26, 2012
Theme: K-Life and Digital Literacy

We’ll also be holding NCSAM events across the country throughout October and have weekly chats on Twitter. You can find an event in your area by visiting our Events page: http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/events/ and learn more about our Twitter chats here: http://stopthinkconnect.org/get-involved/twitter-chats/.

And don’t forget that all important hashtag to connect your October activities to everyone else’s on Twitter: #ncsam.