October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Before writing off this exciting news as only of interest to internet experts, take a moment to consider the importance of all the internet-connected services that affect our lives each day.
From financial transactions to power grids, healthcare records and emergency response systems, the list of networks that are impacted by internet security breaches goes on and on.
That’s why, in 2004, National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.
The National Cyber Security Alliance maintains that no single individual, business or even government is solely responsible for securing the Internet. The President of the United States agrees that everyone has a role in securing their part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks we use.
“We now live in an era of the Internet – our children will never know a world without it. Though widely helpful, this reliance reminds us of our need to remain aware, alert and attentive in this new frontier. By working together, to prevent and disrupt threats to our digital infrastructure, America can continue pioneering new discoveries and expanding the boundaries of humanity’s reach.” – President Barack Obama, Sept. 30, 2015
In other words, our individual actions have a collective impact. When we use the Internet safely, we make it more secure for everyone. If each of us does our part, by implementing strong security practices, raising community awareness, educating young people or training employees, together we will be a digital society that is safer, more resistant to attacks, and more resilient and able to recover when attacks occur.
At Delta Community, we take the security of our members’ personal and financial information seriously and frequently offer free workshops and seminars to educate the broader public on best practices for protecting themselves online. In our Identity Theft Solutions workshop, for example, Information Security Director Abdul Hussain explains how to substantially reduce your chance of identity theft - and ways to minimize damage if you do become a victim. He covers common ploys of identity thieves, federal laws and helpful resources.
In addition to these classes, Delta Community also provides fraud prevention tips, an Identity Protection Toolkit and other helpful advice for keeping you and your family safe online. All these efforts support our belief that education is the first step toward increasing online safety. Awareness of the resources available at Delta Community and from the National Cyber Security Alliance is an important second step toward securing your personal online presence and the broader security of the entire internet.
