October is a special month in the cybersecurity community. Fourteen years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) designated October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCASM).
NCASM was created by the aforementioned organizations as a way to help protect Americans online and raise awareness about security issues. By ensuring Americans are as safe and secure as possible online, we not only protect individuals but also government agencies and our businesses.
Each year, NCASM grows as more people from all areas of the country join in — from small businesses to large corporations, from educational institutions to all levels of government agencies. This year, more than 120 colleges and universities alone signed up to support NCSAM during October, according to NCSA’s StaySafeOnline website.
One of the key campaigns within NCSAM is STOP. THINK. CONNECT. This campaign spreads important messages such as keeping a clean machine, protecting personal information, being a good online citizen, owning your online presence, and more.
This particular campaign was the theme of this year’s first week of NCSAM, which also features a series of weekly webinars, Tweetchats and other activities organized around similar themes.
Week 1, for example, was designated STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Simple Steps to Online Safety, and featured events aimed at addressing top cyber concerns and the simple steps that can protect us all from being victims of cybercrimes.
The rest of October features similarly themed weeks with cybersecurity events. Here’s what to look for the rest of the month:
Week 2: Oct. 9-13, Cybersecurity in the Workplace is Everyone’s Business
This week is about helping companies create a culture of cybersecurity. That involves planning, training, and building awareness. During this week, NCSA will look at resources that can help organizations improve cyber resilience, that includes promoting the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework.
One of the highlight events is an InCommon IAM Online Webinar, Taking a Fresh Look at IAM at Your Institution: Two Case Studies, with HEISC co-chairs Sharon Pitt (Binghamton) and Mike Corn (UCSD), scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. on today. A Twitter chat @StaySafeOnline will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 12 using #ChatSTC and covering the theme of Cybersecurity in the Workplace.
Week 3: Oct. 16-20, Today’s Predictions for Tomorrow’s Internet
From smart phones to smart cities to smart homes, everything is interconnected anymore. And while there are many benefits, this cutting-edge technology runs on personal data. Having that data stolen can be disastrous. Activities this week will peer into the future of a connected internet to help identify how information can be kept safe, secure, and private while using the latest and best technology.
During this week, Internet2’s Tech Exchange will be Oct. 16-17 in San Francisco. Of note, those attending should check out the Information Security and Trust & Identity tracks. That week’s Twitter chat will be from 3to 4 p.m. on Oct. 19, and will focus on staying safe in the internet of tomorrow.
Week 4: Oct. 23-27, The Internet Wants You: Consider a Career in Cybersecurity
As we’ve written about previously, there simply aren’t enough skilled cybersecurity professionals at the moment. In fact, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education states that “by 2022 there will be a shortage of 1.8 million information security workers.” In order to build stronger defenses against online attacks, it’s imperative we begin to recruit and train professionals to fill cyber security careers.
From 1 to 2 p.m. on Oct. 23, EDUCAUSE will have a live webinar titled Shifting to Security Awareness 2.0, with Jason Hoenich, the founder of Habitu8, Inc. There will also be a Twitter chat about cybersecurity careers from 3 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26.
Week 5: Oct. 30-31, Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats
The final two days of NCSAM focus on how cyber security can protect everything from our electricity to transportation to traffic lights and much more. By keeping our critical infrastructure secure, we give support to the systems that keep our daily lives running smoothly.
From Oct. 31 through Nov. 3, EDUCAUSE 2017 will feature sessions on information security, privacy, and risk. There will also be a Twitter chat from 3to 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 focusing on protecting critical infrastructure.
Not that we need reminders anymore about how important cyber security is, but NCSAM not only helps raise awareness, but it’s also designed to help us all improve our cyber security skills and address critical areas. If you would like to get more involved with NCSAM, here’s a great starting point.
For additional resources from EDUCAUSE:
- Security awareness campaign materials for the higher education community: https://www.educause.edu/ncsam
- EDUCAUSE Review Security Matters blog column
- Free awareness videos! CEO Scams: https://youtu.be/_oqXcx3bRD8, Wrong E-mail Recipients: https://youtu.be/1xmjemLq_3Q, and Acceptable Use: https://youtu.be/QL3xNbyVeGM
