Each and every one of us needs to do our part to make sure that our online lives are kept safe and secure. That's what National Cyber Security Awareness Month—observed in October —is all about!
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) – celebrated every October - was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.
Since its inception a decade ago under leadership from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, NCSAM has grown exponentially, reaching consumers, small and medium-size businesses, corporations, educational institutions, and young people across the nation.
This year, National Cyber Security Awareness Month is celebrating its 16th anniversary.
Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.
The line between our online and offline lives is indistinguishable. In these tech-fueled times, our homes, societal well-being, economic prosperity and nation’s security are impacted by the internet.
Under the overarching theme of ‘Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.’, the 16th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is focused on encouraging personal accountability and proactive behavior in security best practices, digital privacy and draw attention to careers in cybersecurity. NCSAM 2019 will address the following online safety messages and identify opportunities for behavioral change:
Own IT
- Never Click and Tell: staying safe on social media
- Update Privacy Settings
- Keep tabs on your Apps: Best practices for device applications
Secure IT
- Shake Up Your Passphrase Protocol: create strong, unique passphrases
- Double your login protection: turn on multi-factor authentication
- Shope Safe Online
- Play Hard to Get With Strangers: how to spot and avoid a phish
Protect IT
- If You Connect, You Must Protect: updating to the latest security software, web browser and operating system.
- Stay Protected While Connected: Wi-Fi safety
- If You Collect It, Protect It: keeping customer/consumer data and information safe
Additional Resources:
YouTube Channel with past Information Security Awareness Video contest winners.
