October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Since its original inception under leadership from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), NCSAM has grown exponentially, reaching consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations, educational institutions and young people across the nation. Now in its 16th year, NCSAM continues to build momentum and impact co-led by NCSA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA).

Following wide success of the ‘Our Shared Responsibility’ theme in years past, CISA and NCSA have shifted strategic focus to a message that promotes personal accountability. Driven through mass public engagement, the ‘Own IT. Secure. IT. Protect IT.’ theme will help to encourage personal accountability and proactive behavior in digital privacy, security best practices, common cyber threats and cybersecurity careers. Here is a breakdown of the highlighted calls to action and their key messages:

Own IT.

• Never Click and Tell: staying safe on social media
• Update Privacy Settings
• Keep Tabs on Your Apps: best practices for device applications
• Never Click and Tell: staying safe on social media

Secure IT.

• Shake Up Your Passphrase Protocol: create strong, unique passphrases
• Double Your Login Protection: turn on multi-factor authentication
• Shop Safe Online
• Play Hard To Get With Strangers: how to spot and avoid phish

Protect IT.

• If You Connect, You Must Protect: updating to the latest security software, web browser and operating systems
• Stay Protected While Connected: Wi-Fi safety
• If You Collect It, Protect It: keeping customer/consumer data and information safe

Connect to staysafeonline.org