October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

[Mark Mastrean]

"*Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart*" is this year's theme for Cyber Security
Awareness Month <https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month>.
Launched in 2004, the campaign aims to empower organizations and us as
individuals to help protect cyberspace. The key idea is that cybersecurity
starts with each one of us, and is everyone’s responsibility.

This year's program will focus on the following areas for promotions and
outreach:

   - Week of October 4 (Week 1): Be Cyber Smart.
   - Week of October 11 (Week 2): Fight the Phish!
   - Week of October 18 (Week 3): Explore. Experience. Share. –
   Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week
   - Week of October 25 (Week 4): Cybersecurity First

*Get Involved*
Use the hashtag, #BeCyberSmart, before and during October to promote
involvement in raising cybersecurity awareness.

Follow the National Cyber Security Alliance on Twitter
<https://twitter.com/staysafeonline>, Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/staysafeonline>, YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/staysafeonline1> and LinkedIn
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-cyber-security-alliance/> to
receive the latest online safety news and resources.

Visit the NCSAM resource page
<https://www.cisa.gov/publication/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-publications?utm_source=website&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=ncsam_niccs>
to learn how to
<https://www.cisa.gov/publication/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-publications?utm_source=website&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=ncsam_niccs>

   - Protect yourself while working, learning, or playing at home.
   - Stay cyber-secure while traveling.
   - Identify and guard against online fraud and scams.
   - Enable extra security measures such as multi-factor identification.
   - Create strong passwords.
   - And more.

*10 Tips to be more Cyber Secure*
Here are 10 things you can do *now*, before a cyberattack occurs (from FEMA
<https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/10-tips-know-becybersmart-be-cyber-secure-0>
):

   1. *Use strong passwords* that are 12 characters or longer. Use
   uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Use a
   password manager.
   2. *Use a stronger authentication* such as a PIN or password that only
   you would know. Consider using a separate device that can receive a code or
   uses a biometric scan (e.g. fingerprint scanner).
   3. *Watch for suspicious activity* that asks you to do something right
   away, offers something that sounds too good to be true or needs your
   personal information. Think before you click.
   4. *Check your account statements *and credit reports regularly.
   5. *Use secure Internet communications*.
   6. *Use sites that use HTTPS *if you will access or provide any personal
   information. Do not use sites with invalid certificates. Use a Virtual
   Private Network (VPN) that creates a secure connection.
   7. *Use antivirus solutions* to protect against malware, and firewalls
   to block threats.
   8. *Regularly back-up your files *in an encrypted file or encrypted file
   storage device.
   9. *Limit the personal information you share online. *Change privacy
   settings and do not use location features.
   10. *Protect your home network* by changing the administrative and WiFi
   passwords regularly. When configuring your router, choose the WiFi
   Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) setting, which
   is the strongest encryption option.

I invite you to contact me for more information on cybersecurity, or visit
our campus infosec webpage
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/resources/technology/infosec/index.html>
.

Best regards,

Symen Mulders
Information Security Analyst
Library & Information Technology Services
Email: muldersb at plattsburgh.edu
Phone: (518)564-2459
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