In the last few years, cyber attacks have grown exponentially in the connected world. Establishing routine preventive actions has become a key component to maintain business and personal data, devices and IT systems safe from virtual theft.
What can you do when projects get complicated by external or internal issues? Check out this Intraway insider’s story.
October 2018 is the 15th anniversary of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), a public campaign carried out by the US government and the National Cyber Security Alliance to spotlight the threads of cyber attacks and share prevention advice for-profit and nonprofit organizations, government institutions, and individuals.
History
NCSAM was established in October 2004 as a collaborative project between the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary objective was to share basic and straightforward advice on cyber security processes like updating antivirus software.
Within years, multiple famous cases of cyber attacks came up in the public and private sphere, making the cyber security cause an essential warning message. In this context, the campaign has grown exponentially in participants around the world, reaching several partners such as:
- Industry leaders
- General public
- College campuses
- Nonprofits and other groups
Along the technology expansion of late years, cyber attacks have diversified in number and impact. Due to that, in 2011, the month’ expanded its set of subjects through the concept of weekly themes during October. Based on the participant companies’ feedback of previous years, topics include:
- Education
- Cybercrime
- Law Enforcement
- Mobility
- Critical Infrastructure
- Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
As the agenda expands, so are the places where the month’s topics are shared. From 2009, U.S. leading administration officials have regularly participated in events across the United States to cover the main issues.
To learn more about the history of NCSA go to A History of NCSAM
2018 Theme
Since 2009, the month’s slogan has been Our Shared Responsibility. Understanding that the network is an open space built by everyone and that cyber attacks can affect us all, this year theme focuses on Internet final users, the consumers.
Also, in 2010 the NCSAM organization launched the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign, meaning to spread an actionable and straightforward motto we can all adopt for the responsible use of the network. The last release aims to sharing good practices and resources as bringing awareness on cyber security at a global level.
How to Get Involved?
NCSAM created a full content of resources to stay safe from cyber attacks and generate awareness by sharing with our partners. General tips and advice (available in several languages) include:
- Keep a Clean Machine
- Protect Your Personal Information
- Connect With Care
- Be Web Wise
- Be a Good Online Citizen
- Own Your Online Presence
What can you do when projects get complicated by external or internal issues? Check out this Intraway insider’s story.
