Across the country this month, cyber security professionals, software companies and government agencies are working to raise awareness of online security issues by encouraging people to protect their computers, educate themselves and take responsibility for online security. The Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) is sponsoring this fifth-annual event and partnering with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a nonprofit organization funded by public and private institutions, and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. By teaming up with companies like Microsoft and AOL and encouraging other organizations to participate with their own events, the NCSD and NCSA can publicize those organizations’ efforts and continue to provide safety education, events, tips and forums for everyone from the average home computer user to the small business owner and local government office.

Why have a whole month dedicated to cyber security? We’ve noted before on this site that attacks on personal privacy, security and identity are plentiful online. As Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff noted on the DHS website, “Cyber attacks are increasing in sophistication and frequency every day. They include a broad spectrum of nefarious activity – from an individual hacker, to an organized criminal group stealing information or identities, to nation states engaged in cyber espionage.” Taking action to protect individual privacy and security is one of the main themes of the articles we post here at Privacy Council. We know that simple precautions and protective steps can go a long way toward keeping one’s identity safe, and this month is dedicated to spreading the word and educating consumers about what they can do to protect themselves online. 

The NCSD and NCSA offer several tips to increase personal privacy and security online. Some of them include:

• Using anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, on your computer
• Creating strong passwords and never share them with anyone
• Backing up your important files
• Not clicking on links in suspicious emails or giving out sensitive information out via email (Click here for Privacy Council’s article on phishing, and click here for Privacy Council’s article on harmless-looking email attacks)
• Monitoring your children’s online activity and not letting them give out sensitive information online (click here for Privacy Council’s article on child identity theft)
• Subscribing to the National Cyber Alert Systemfor the latest updates on cyber threats and security issues
• Involving your school or organization in cyber security awareness (you can download the EDUCAUSE cyber research kit here)

Want to participate in an event to learn more about cyber security? The proclamation of National Cyber Security Awareness Month received 51 endorsements from non-profits, educational institutions, government agencies and companies this year, and many of those are offering educational events this month. Any events that the NCSA knows about are publicized on the organization’s events page. If you don’t see one that you can attend, try contacting your nearest school, college or local government to see whether they plan to offer any cyber safety seminars or events in October. Many agencies are participating at the local or state level; for example, Illinois State Universityis providing four weeks of online safety topics to educate students and staff about issues ranging from peer-to-peer file sharing to identity theft to viruses and spyware. Several states away, Minnesota’s Enterprise Security Office is holding five security awareness events at various Minnesota state agency cafeterias throughout October.

Whether you attend an event or not, help spread the word to others so that they, too, can be educated in the ways to protect their online security. And not just this month, but whenever possible. Online security is everyone’s responsibility!