Highlights
– Annual month-long campaign seeks to raise cyber security awareness
– Cyber security organization outlines several steps to remain safe online
– Awareness campaign continues to grow
The United States (US) Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) has designated October 2008 as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The annual campaign, which is in its fifth year, is designed to educate the public on the steps it should take to stay safe while using the Internet. The NCSD in partnership with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), will launch a series of events throughout the month aimed at raising awareness of how citizens and businesses can better safeguard themselves in cyberspace.
According to DHS, 28 state governors signed a proclamation in recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and 51 companies, non-profits, universities and government agencies have given the campaign their endorsement. The US House of Representatives also passed a resolution declaring October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
In an October 1, 2008 press release by the Department of Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff stated that the agency has embarked on a large scale effort over the past several years to increase the federal government’s ability to detect and defend the nation’s information technology (IT) infrastructure against cyber threats.
In addition to the federal government’s efforts, Secretary Chertoff stated the private sector and everyday citizens need to protect themselves against cyber threats because no single entity owns the Internet and a cooperative effort will maximize overall safety and security of the web.
Initiative Outlines Steps to Stay Safe Online
The NCSA through its website, staysafeonline.org, outlined several steps businesses and citizens should take to protect themselves online:
•Protect your computer – the use of anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a firewall are essential to keeping your computer functioning properly and protecting your data and online transactions.
•Protect your identity – Don’t share your personal data (social security number, birth date, etc.) online and when filling out online forms, verify the website and ensure the connection to the website is secure (SSL encrypted).
•Protect your children – monitor kids’ online activities closely and consider using software tools to monitor and protect the places they go online.
•Keep software up to date – Set your computer to automatically install virus scanning software definition lists and operating system security updates.
•Email safely – Email is a favorite tool of online criminals. Learn how to filter for “Spam” and spot signs of scam emails.
•Protect your accounts – Choosing hard-to-guess password and changing them regularly can help prevent criminals from getting at your money or personal information.
•Backup your data – Regularly backing up your important documents, photos, music, etc. will protect you from hardware failures, possible data corruption from viruses, and theft.
•Keep informed – Receive timely information about the latest cyber security threats by subscribing to the National Cyber Alert System from the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team at www.us-cert.gov.
Awareness Campaign Continues To Grow
According to the DHS press release, the annual campaign experienced steady growth in 2007. DHS stated the campaign’s awareness activities in October 2007 captured the attention of more than 133 million Americans, an increase of over 43 million from 2006. The campaign also added eight additional participants from government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and universities since 2006.
Outlook
DHS’s month long cyber security awareness campaign is an important educational initiative, because the more the public understands the nature of cyber threats, the better they are able to react.
By educating the public concerning safe online practices, institutions and government agencies like DHS’s NCSD and NCSA provide citizens the knowledge and tools necessary to protect themselves online and protect their computers from being used to attack others.