October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Don't let the cyber ghouls, internet trolls and digital goblins get you! October is National Cyber SecurityAwareness Month (NCSAM).
NCSAM is the U. S. Department of Homeland Securityand National Cyber SecurityAlliance's annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. Recognized since 2003, NCSAM began to ensure that every individual remainssafe online.
Each week during the month of October, NCSAM will focus on a specific topic or theme:
• Oct. 2 – Oct. 6: Simple Steps to Online Safety
Week 1 addresses top consumer cybersecurityconcerns, provides steps to protect yourself online and educates the public on what to do if a cybercrime is committed against you.
• Oct. 9 – Oct. 13: Cybersecurityin the Workplace is Everyone's Business
Week 2 will focus on ways in which organizationscan protect themselves against the common cyber threats by examiningNational Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework, resources to help organizations strengthen their cyber resilience.
• Oct. 16 – Oct. 20: Today's Predictions for Tomorrow's Internet
Week 3 reminds citizens that their sensitive, personal information is the fuel that makes smart devices work and how to use these technologiessafely while continuing to enjoy their benefits.
• Oct. 23 – Oct. 27: The Internet Wants YOU: Consider a Career in Cybersecurity
Week 4 is all about the promotion of cybersecurity careers. According to the2017 Global Information Security Workforce Study, there will be a shortage of 1.8 million information security workers by 2022.
• Oct. 30 – Oct. 31: Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats
Week 5 shifts from online activity to systems that support our daily lives. Traffic lights, running water and phone lines, to name a few, are detrimental to our society. The final week of NSCAMis dedicated to our national security and building resilience around infrastructure dependant upon the internet.
Trick-or-#tweet! It is imperative that everyone gets involved with NCSAM. The majority of us are active participants in social media, so here are 5 ways to decorate your socials to help NCSAM bring awareness to cybersecurity and the all-too-real horrors of cyber-crimes and misdemeanors.
1. Follow the Nation Cyber Security Alliance:Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
2. Download and replace your profile picture and/or Facebook cover photo with theNCSAM logothis Halloween season.
3.Continue to post online safety tips and reminders about NCSAM using the hashtag #CyberAware.
4. Blog about cybersecurityby sharing with your online friends and networks your favorite NCSAM theme.
5. Participate in Twitter chats: @STOPTHINKCONNECT hosts weekly #ChatSTC Twitterchats during the month of October relevant to the theme of each week.
Stop running from the cyber monsters and start fighting back. We encourage you to get involved in NCSAM and help us continue the dialogue around the importance of cybersecurity.
AbacusNext proudly supports NSCAM and is a strong believer in bringing awareness to the issues of cyber threats.
To learn more about network security and protection for your firm, click here!