DID YOU KNOW: National Cyber Security Awareness Month

We had no idea! But, did you know that October is  National Cyber Security Awareness Month?

According to SBA.gov, this month the Department of Homeland Security celebrated their 11th anniversary on cyber security awareness. The national acknowledgement was, in part, established along with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. For more information, visit http://www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month.

Through a series of events and initiatives across the country, organizers engage public and private sector partners to raise awareness and educate Americans about cyber security.

This 11th anniversary, the initiative looks ahead to the cyber security challenges for the next ten years, dedicating each week of the month to a different cyber security issue:

Week Two: October 6-10. Secure Development of IT Products.  Building security into information technology products is key to enhancing cybersecurity.

Week Three: October 13-17. Critical Infrastructure and the Internet of Things.  Looking at the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and properly securing all devices, including household items that are connected to the Internet.

Week Four: October 20-24. Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and Entrepreneurs. Showcasing what emerging and established businesses can do to protect their organization, customers, and employees.

Week Five: October 27-31. Cyber Crime and Law Enforcement.  Working with law enforcement to combat cyber-crime and educate the public on how to protect themselves from online crime.

Again, this is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the growing importance of cyber security. Be proactive and learn more about what you can do to stay protected. For the complete list of activities, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/events.