Cyber Security is OUR Shared Responsibility

Did you know that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month?

October 2012 marks the ninth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The theme is "Cyber Security is OUR Shared Responsibility." Every Internet user has a role to play in securing cyberspace and ensuring the safety of themselves and their families online. If each of us does our part, together we can create strong defenses against cyber threats. To that end, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Cyber Security (DHSES OCS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Cyber Security Alliance, and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, offers free awareness materials to assist your organization in educating employees, partners, and citizens about cyber security.

"In 2012, the cyber threat environment continues to be extremely challenging, particularly as organizations and individuals increase the use of mobile devices and cloud services. Given this challenging environment, it is essential for us to heighten awareness of threats and encourage the adoption of effective security policies and practices," said DHSES OCS Director Thomas D. Smith. Working together is a key component to improving the cyber security posture of our organizations and communities.

How can you participate?

Awareness month is the perfect time to review your current cyber practices. Below are activities and simple tips for staying safe online.

• Check that your home computer has current anti-virus software running.
• Turn on automatic updates for all your software, particularly your operating system and applications.
• Use strong passwords and different passwords for accounts. Do not let one compromised account open the door to your other accounts.
• Learn about phishing attacks and be prepared the next time you receive an email asking for private, personal, or sensitive information such as your bank account number, credit card number, password, or social security number.
• Stop and think before you click on links and attachments.
• Review your organization’s information security policy and follow it.
• Regularly check your privacy settings on social networking sites.
• Sign the "Cyber Pledge" and be among those who already have.
• Talk with your child about staying safe online.
• Have your child’s school participate in the NYS Kids Safe Online Poster Contest, open to all children grades kindergarten through 12.
• Read the Cyber Security Tips Newsletters available on the DHSES OCS website.
• Spread awareness materials through your staff, business and consumer channels.

Where can you find information?

This month, an awareness "toolkit" and other free materials will be available on the DHSES OCS website. The toolkit includes cyber security themed posters, calendars, bookmarks, guides, brochures, and other content that can be downloaded. The toolkit is designed to promote the delivery of a consistent cyber security awareness message by reinforcing core themes in practical, informative, entertaining, and usable ways. Everyone is encouraged to use the information to promote cyber security awareness.

Also available on the DHSES OCS website are newsletters that you can brand, policies that can be used as best practice, booklets to get you started with a cyber security program, links to national high school and college cyber security competitions, training opportunities, and information on special events.

Click here for more details.

New York State Association of Fire Chiefs