Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Do Your Part. Be Cybersmart

Every October the nation observes Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a national education and outreach effort to empower consumers, the nation’s businesses, corporations, and educational institutions to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace. 

Now in its 18^th year, the program was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure that every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.  As a part of this effort, throughout the month, the Ewing Township Information Technology Department will share messages and resources that will help you to protect yourself from cyber crimes and stay safe online. Ewing Township Council has also passed Resolution #21R -164 in support

Are you concerned about cybercrime?  You should be.  In today’s world we continually use the Internet to conduct our everyday business.  It’s a convenient way to do our banking and bill paying, shopping, fill out job applications, meet potential dating partners, research family history, and to stay in touch with family and friends, and conduct business via email.  But all this connectivity and convenience comes with a great deal risk.  Cybercriminals regularly threaten our safety as well as our national and economic security for profit. 

Remember the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack?  Our nation’s largest fuel pipeline was the target of a ransomware attack in early May.  In response, the energy company shut down the pipeline and later paid a $5 million ransom.  In December of last year, you may also remember that hackers, reportedly backed by Russian Intelligence, broke into a range of our key government networks, including in the Treasury and Commerce Departments, and had free access to their email systems. 

Incursions of varying magnitudes are reported almost daily where cybercriminals attempt to make money or, more infrequently, advance a political or personal agenda.  So, it behooves us all to stay smart and stay informed.  The good news is with a bit of education, some care and common sense you can be smarter about protecting yourself from cybercrimes and stay safer online. 

Protecting the Internet is our shared responsibility.

We have put together resources from the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” to help you do just that over the month of October.  Each week we will share information on their weekly themes that cover a wide array of topics to protect yourself at home or at work.  If everyone does their part – implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences, or training employees – our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.

Week 1: Be Cyber Smart

This week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month will highlight best security practices and focus on general cyber hygiene to keep your information safe. Own your role in cybersecurity by starting with the basics. Creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication, backing up your data, and updating your software are great places to start. This is a great way to Do Your Part #BeCyberSmart!

Week 2: Fight the Phish

Phishing attacks account for more than 80 percent of reported security incidents.  Week 2 of Cybersecurity Awareness Month will stress the importance of being wary of emails, text messages or chat boxes that come from a stranger or someone you were not expecting. Think before you click on any suspicious emails, links or attachments and make sure to report any suspicious emails if you can!

Week 3: Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week

This is a week-long campaign that inspires and promotes the exploration of cybersecurity careers.

Week 4: Cybersecurity First

Make security a priority.

Businesses
This means building security into products and processes. Make cybersecurity training a part of employee onboarding and equip staff with the tools they need to keep the organization safe.

Individuals
Keep cybersecurity at the forefront of your mind as you connect daily. Before purchasing a device or online product, do your research. When you set up a new device or app, consider your security and privacy settings and update default passwords. Cybersecurity should not be an afterthought.