Get Involved

There are many things businesses, home users, schools, higher education, local law enforcement, federal government, and local government can do to support public education and awareness during National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Everyone can get involved in NCSAM – from large corporations, teachers, parents and children. Here are some things you can do. These lists are also available in PDF format to share with others.

What Businesses Can Do (download PDF)

No matter what the size of your business, there are things you can
do to help get the word out about staying safe and secure online. Some
ideas include:

• Publish cyber security tips for employees in company newsletters,
  corporate intranet sites, or through posters and handouts in break
  rooms and high traffic areas.
• Promote cybersecurity with your customers through an external Web site or some other form of media.
• Set policies that require employees to use long, complex passwords that they change at least every 60 days.

Read More (download PDF)

What Home Users Can Do (download PDF)

Protecting your home computer(s) is critical to ensuring the safety
and security of you and your family but don’t stop there. Join in and
educate others as well. Here are some steps to getting started:

• Use a suite of automatically updating security tools that includes anti-Spyware, firewall and anti-virus software.
• Be sure your operating system and Web browser are set to automatically update.
• Use long, complex passwords for both your computer and your
  wireless network that include numbers, symbols and letters, and change
  them every 90 days.
• Post cyber security tips on your favorite community Listserv

Read More (download PDF)

What Educators Can Do (download PDF)

Schools and educators are important in helping young people stay
safe and secure online. There are many ways you can engage young
people, parents, and the community, such as:

• Incorporate cyber security into your computer curriculum and use
  the USA Today cyber security lesson plans (to be launched August 2009).
• Engage parents: discuss cyber security during open houses, PTA meetings, and parent teacher conferences.
• Add cyber security tips to the school’s website.
• Advocate for district-wide curriculum on cyber security, cyber safety, and cyber ethics that can be implemented district-wide.

Read More (download PDF)

What College Students Can Do (download PDF)

When you are on your own for the first time, you take on new responsibilities. Make sure that staying safe online is one of them by doing the following:

• Pack up your laptop and take it with you, even if you intend to be right back
• Be cautious about how much personal information you provide on social networking sites
• Pay for online purchases with a credit card or an online payment service
• Be wary of free downloadable software as it may contain spyware and other malicious software

Read More (download PDF)

What College Administrators Can Do (download PDF)

As a college administrator, you can play a role in securing your school’s network and communicating safety tips to your students, faculty and staff. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Publish cybersecurity tips for students and faculty in the school newspaper, on the school’s main Web site, and on posters throughout campus.
• Ensure that all public computers on campus have the most up-to-date operating system, web browser, and security software.
• Include or update cybersecurity best practices in student handbooks and orientation materials.
• Provide information on the safe use of social networks and include information on protecting personal information and reputations.

Read More (download PDF)

What Local Law Enforcement Can Do (download PDF)

Every day, you help fight crime on the streets. You can do your part to fight cybercrime too, by following these steps:

• Customize and print National Cyber Security Awareness Month posters and place in police stations, precincts, schools, and other community locations
• Review cybersecurity top tips at community meetings
• Print NCSA’s top tips brochure for distribution to the public
• Conduct Internet safety and security presentations in schools

Read More (download PDF)

What Federal Government Can Do (download PDF)

The federal government plays a crucial role in the safety and security of everyday citizens. See what you can do to extend that protection into the online world.

• Customize and print National Cyber Security Awareness Month posters for placement in government offices
• Encourage employees to practice cybersecurity and protect their identity at home and in the workplace
• Review cybersecurity top tips at departmental meetings
• Add cybersecurity top tips to departmental websites

Read More (download PDF)

What Local Government Can Do (download PDF)

Local governments provide invaluable resources to their citizens regarding community safety. See what you can do to inform your citizens about online security, safety, and ethics.

• Customize and print National Cyber Security Awareness Month posters for placement in government offices, community centers, and police stations
• Review cyber security top tips at community meetings
• Conduct a cyber security training/presentation for employees
• Write an article for employee and community newsletters

Read More (download PDF)