The 16th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is fast approaching. Oct. 1 kicks off of this month-long campaign devoted to educating everyone about the roles they play in helping to safeguard the internet. Held every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.
NCSAM 2019’s overarching theme is Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. This new call to action emphasizes the role each individual plays in maintaining online safety and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity practices at home, on the go and in the workplace.
“As we approach the 16th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we remind connected technology users that safeguarding the internet is a responsibility we all share,” said Kelvin Coleman, NCSA’s executive director. “As cyberattacks are evolving and becoming more common, NCSAM is a great opportunity for businesses to enhance and share their commitment to cybersecurity with their employees and customers. In addition, NCSAM provides the perfect platform for all internet users to learn more about the steps they can take to protect their private information. This year’s Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. theme will focus on key areas, including individual privacy, consumer devices and e-commerce security.”
Get Involved!
Each year, NCSAM Champions – organizations and individuals who have committed their support of the month – help to amplify the core NCSAM message of keeping the internet safe and secure for everyone. The Champions program is a free and easy way to get involved. All Champions receive a toolkit of user-friendly materials they can use to spread the word about online safety and security in advance of and throughout the month. More than 1000 organizations and 500 individuals have already pledged their support. Learn more and sign up at staysafeonline.org/ncsam/champions/.
Join in the countdown to NCSAM on social media. Every day leading up to October 1, NCSA will share a cybersecurity fact, tip or myth on Twitter and Facebook. Your organization can participate by downloading the pre-written posts and graphics and following the posting calendar provided.
Throughout NCSAM, NCSA together with key partners and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) ̶ which co-leads the campaign ̶ will distribute materials and engage on social media with the goal to drive behavior change with consumers, businesses and the general workforce on cybersecurity best practices. Connect with us on social media and learn the latest NCSAM news by following and using the hashtags #BeCyberSmart and #CyberAware. Additional information about NCSAM, along with resources like tip sheets, presentation templates and sample social media posts and content, can be found at staysafeonline.org/ncsam.
Additional tips, resources and messaging are available from CISA at niccs.us-cert.gov/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2019
Attend a NCSAM 2019 Event
Events for the public, industry, employees and small businesses are held in communities across the country. Here is a sample of upcoming NCSAM events:
Webinar: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Own IT.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT
Start October strong with Symantec and NCSAM partners including the National Cyber Security Alliance, National PTA and Connect Safely to learn how to protect the devices you use day to day. Understanding how to protect your most significant personal information is crucial in this world of constant connection. The webinar will focus on elements of home and family and the topics will include: safe social media, updating your privacy settings and best practices for device applications.
Webinar: Cybersecuring the Supply Chain – Make Cybersecurity a Competitive Advantage
Wednesday Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m. EDT/11:00 a.m. PDT
Some of the largest, most public breaches were caused by a supply chain vulnerability – often a small or medium-sized business – that was used as an entry point into a much larger organization. Learn about the steps can you take to make sure you don’t pose a cyber threat to those you provide goods or services to and how to evaluate your own vendors and contractors. Join the National Cyber Security Alliance and special guests for our free NCSAM webinar – we’ll provide resources and guidance on how you can take your supply chain risk strategy to the next level.
View a comprehensive list of NCSAM events.
About National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
NCSAM is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing NCSAM in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/ncsam or niccs.us-cert.gov/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2019.
About the National Cyber Security AllianceNCSA is the nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting
cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA’s primary partners are the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and NCSA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; American Express; Bank of America; Cisco; Cofense; Comcast Corporation; Eli Lilly and Company; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Infosec; Intel Corporation; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; Proofpoint; Raytheon; Symantec Corporation; Trend Micro, Inc.; Uber: U.S. Bank; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA’s core efforts include National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from the Department of Homeland Security; and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit https://staysafeonline.org/about/.
About the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
CISA was created in November 2018 as the first civilian cybersecurity agency in the U.S. federal government. The agency leads the national effort to defend critical infrastructure against the threats of today, while working with partners across all levels of government and in the private sector to secure against the evolving risks of tomorrow.