National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October marks the sixth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. The goal of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is to show Internet users that taking simple precautions can safeguard them from the latest online threats and respond to potential cyber-crime incidents.

The National Cybersecurity Division of the Department of Homeland Security, the National Cybersecurity Alliance, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and all of their national partners for sponsoring National Cyber Security Awareness Month again this year.

This year, the theme of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is "Our Shared Responsibility.” Earlier this year, I held a series of hearings on our nation's current strategy for cybersecurity defense and to raise awareness of the various vulnerabilities in our critical information infrastructure. To develop a comprehensive, proactive strategy for cybersecurity, I will be hosting a series of roundtables throughout the month of October. These roundtables will bring together industry leaders, academics, and government officials responsible for implementing a national strategy. I will ensure that all parties are working together so the American people get tangible and timely results that will protect their privacy, the economy, and our critical infrastructure from any potential attack.

How You Can Contribute to Cybersecurity Awareness

Here are a few steps that you can take to not only participate in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but also enhance cybersecurity 365 days a year:

Take Action - There are many things businesses, schools, and home users can do to practice cybersecurity during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond.

• Make sure that you have anti-virus software and firewalls installed, properly configured, and up-to-date. New threats are discovered every day, and keeping your software updated is one of the easier ways to protect yourself from an attack. Set your computer to automatically update for you.
   
• Update your operating system and critical program software. Software updates offer the latest protection against malicious activities. Turn on automatic updating if that feature is available. 
   
• Back up key files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc and store it in a safe place.

Endorse - Demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity.

• Show your organization's commitment to cybersecurity and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month by signing the online endorsement form at www.staysafeonline.org. 
   
• Create a section for cybersecurity on your organization's Web site. Download banners at www.staysafeonline.org and post them on your organization's home page. 
   
• Add a signature block to your e-mail: "October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Stay Safe Online! Visit http://www.staysafeonline.org for the latest cybersecurity tips."

Educate - Find out what you can do to secure cyberspace and how you can share this with others.

•  Participate in the National Cyber Security Alliance Cyber Security Awareness Volunteer Education (C-SAVE) Program and help educate elementary, middle, and high-school students about Internet safety and security. For more information or to download the C-Save curriculum, visit www.staysafeonline.org/content/c-save.
   
• Review cybersecurity tips with your family. 
   
• Print and post these cybersecurity tips near your computer and network printers.
   
• Use regular communications in your business—newsletters, e-mail alerts, Web sites, etc.—to increase awareness on issues like updating software processes, protecting personal identifiable information, and securing your wireless network.

For more information on Awareness Month and for additional material, please visit www.us-cert.gov, www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam, and http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0839.shtm

Related Resources
 
 The North American Electric Power Industry’s Top Priority Is a Reliable 
and Secure Bulk Power System

 ISA Cyber Roundtable Answers

Symantec Internet Security Threat Report:  Trends for 2008