Each October, the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) creates an overarching theme for its initiatives to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace. The theme for 2019 is “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” NCSAM has a wealth of resources—available for free—to help leverage cybersecurity for prospects and existing customers. It is a great way to introduce unfamiliar clients with the topic and how it has become an (inter)national topic.
This post will focus on the Own IT portion of the initiative and
paraphrase a bit from the resource guides available. Own IT is broken down into
categories for exploration and to gain valuable insight into their importance
in a secure world:
In a world where we are constantly connected, cybersecurity
cannot be limited to the home or office. When you’re traveling—whether domestic
or international—it is always important to practice safe online behavior and
take proactive steps to secure Internet-enabled devices. The more we travel, the
more we are at risk for cyberattacks. #BeCyberSmart and use these tips to
connect with confidence while on the go.
The Internet touches almost all aspects of our daily lives. We
are able to shop, bank, connect with family and friends, and handle our medical
records all online. These activities require you to provide personally
identifiable information (PII) such as your name, date of birth, account
numbers, passwords, and location information. #BeCyberSmart when sharing
personal information online to reduce the risk of becoming a cybercrimes
victim.
Now more than ever, consumers spend increasing amounts of time
on the Internet. With every social media account you sign up for, every picture
you post, and status you update, you are sharing information about yourself
with the world. How can you be proactive to stay safe online and, “Own IT.
Secure IT. Protect IT.”? #BeCyberSmart and take these simple steps to connect
with confidence and safely navigate the social media world.
Internet of Things (IoT) or smart devices refers to any object
or device that is connected to the Internet. This rapidly expanding set of
“things,” which can send and receive data, includes cars, appliances, smart
watches, lighting, home assistants, home security, and more. #BeCyberSmart to
connect with confidence and protect your interconnected world.
Every topic above has its own corresponding document with tips
and information on how to prevent issues and which precautions to take when
dealing with security. A lot of customers assume they are secure until they are
not, then deal with the repercussions of a data breach. It is beneficial to
leverage this information for customers and show how this topic has national
attention and stress how it will not go away anytime soon.
Helpful links:
National
Initiative For Cybersecurity Careers And Studies (NICCS)