For the past 17 years, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) have used the month of October to educate Americans about the importance of good cybersecurity habits.
Much has changed since the first Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In October 2004, you would have said “Alexa who?”—and this year’s theme “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart” would have seemed oddly punctuated. The importance of cybersecurity in everyone’s lives has only increased.
That’s reflected in the existence of CISA itself. A standalone federal agency since 2019, CISA was originally the National Protection and Programs Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. Congress passed legislation to make CISA a standalone agency in late 2018.
Topics of focus
Each week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, CISA and NCSA will emphasize a different cybersecurity topic:
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- Week 1: If You Can Connect It, Protect It—At this point, we are using internet-connected devices in all aspects of our lives. We all have a responsibility to take care of our own personal security.
- Week 2: Securing Devices at Home and Work—Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans are working from home, opening the door to an entirely new set of vulnerabilities as the line between personal and professional gets blurrier.
- Week 3: Securing Internet-Connected Devices in Healthcare—With increased technology in health care, not to mention the rise of telemedicine, it’s important to stay vigilant and protect information accessed through internet-connected healthcare devices.
- Week 4: The Future of Connected Devices—The month will close with a look at the possibilities and the pitfalls associated with technological innovation. As we continue to evolve, how can we make sure our security keeps up?
Your company can take part in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month with resources from CISA and NCSA.
Photo: Ink Drop / Shutterstock
