UPDATES FROM NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH – WEEK ONE

Throughout National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we will feature events and initiatives designed to engage and educate Americans about cybersecurity threats and to increase the nation’s resiliency in the event of a cyber incident. These events draw upon the expertise of cybersecurity professionals from all levels of government and the private sector. We will also highlight new research, such as a survey the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign and partner organizations will release this month evaluating the cybersecurity habits of young adults.

We hope you will join us at various points throughout the month- either virtually or in person. Each week, you will receive an update with information about the weekly theme, cybersecurity tips relevant to that theme, featured events in the week, and a preview of the following week. You can also find more information at www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month and http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam.

WEEK ONE: CYBERSECURITY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

Celebrating 10 Years of National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Everyday Tips to Stay Safe Online
Week One Stop.Think.Connect. Events

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

A lot has changed in the past decade when it comes to technology and cybersecurity. A few examples from 2004, the year National Cyber Security Awareness Month was established, are quite revealing. Ten years ago, fewer than one percent of American households owned smartphones, and only 25 percent owned mobile computing devices like laptops or tablets, according to the Washington Post. The social networking website Facebook had just started—for Harvard students only—and other sites like Twitter and YouTube did not yet exist, according to a timeline compiled by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In fact, Pew Research reports adult Internet use was only 63 percent, more than 20 points lower than today’s 85 percent. With so many rapid—and useful—cyberspace advances, we faced a new challenge: how to protect our online devices, networks, and selves.

We’ve come a long way since 2004. The Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign, for example, has reached hundreds of thousands of citizens with cyber awareness messaging. Still, there’s more work to do to help all Americans understand their own role in protecting themselves, their businesses, and their communities online. That’s why the theme for the first week of National Cyber Security Awareness Month this year is “Our Shared Responsibility; Stop.Think.Connect., and Cybersecurity in the Next 10 Years.”

Just as we’ve had to adapt and respond to the past decade of cybersecurity threats, we need to make sure we keep using proven steps like setting strong, unique passwords while also preparing for the threats of the future. While today’s focus may be on the explosion of mobile Internet access and threats to our critical infrastructure, tomorrow’s challenges may feature technologies that haven’t even been developed yet.

EVERYDAY TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

Throughout National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we urge every American to help improve the nation’s cyber resilience and take the following simple steps to keep themselves, their identities, and their information safe online:

Set strong passwords, and don’t share them with anyone
Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates
Maintain an open dialogue with your family, friends, and community about Internet safety
Limit the amount of personal information you post online, and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely
Be cautious about what you receive or read online – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Learn more about how you can do your part and what it takes to remain secure at www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect

WEEK ONE STOP.THINK.CONNECT EVENTS

Keystone Event: National Cyber Security Month Kick-Off and Panel

Industry and government leaders from federal, state, and local agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, will join together to officially kick-off National Cyber Security Awareness Month and discuss ways we can make the Internet safer and more secure in the years to come.

Date: October 1, 2013; 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Federal Reserve Bank, Boston, MA
Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/staysafeonline/app_142371818162

Twitter Chat: National Cyber Security Awareness Month – 10 Years and Beyond

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, leaders from industry and government will join in an online discussion about the future of online safety and cybersecurity.

Date: October 3, 2013; 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Follow and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ChatSTC

In addition to the keystone event, many Stop.Think.Connect. National Network Partners and Cyber Coalition Members, as well as other government and industry organizations, are sponsoring events during National Cyber Security Awareness Month. To find events in your area, visit http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/events.

UPCOMING NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH THEMES AND EVENTS:

Week Two, October 7-11: Being Mobile: Online Safety and Security

There are events and initiatives throughout the week. For example, on October 10, you may see us passing out cybersecurity materials at Dulles International Airport, or participating in the weekly Twitter chat called “Mobile and On the Go.” Join the conversation at #ChatSTC.

Week Three, October 15-18: Cyber Workforce and the Next Generation of Cyber Leaders

The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign will be at a high school in the Los Angeles area promoting cyber careers, and participating in the Twitter chat on October 17 focused on STEM education. Take part with the hashtag #ChatSTC.

Week Four, October 21-25: Cyber Crime

Stop.Think.Connect. will be traveling to Chicago for the keystone event on cyber crime on October 24. RSVP at https://ncsam2013cybercrimeevent.eventbrite.com/. Also, use #ChatSTC to join the Twitter chat on cyber crime, also on October 24.

Week Five, October 28-31: Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity

DHS leadership will provide the keynote address at Bloomberg Government‘s Cybersecurity Costs and Solutions Conference, and NCSA is hosting a twitter chat on October 31 focusing on critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. Join the conversation at #ChatSTC.