October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month DHS Launches Initiative to Help Americans Secure Cyberspace

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) is spearheading the fourth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month with a comprehensive outreach campaign to empower all Americans and businesses to take steps to secure their part of cyberspace. Events planned throughout the month in cities across the country are intended to raise awareness of the growing need to protect our nation's critical infrastructures and key resources from cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

NCSD has partnered with the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, other government agencies, and private industry in this effort. The month's activities include press and media events, educational workshops, state cyber exercises, and lectures hosted by public and private partners, proclamations by state governors, and other stakeholder outreach activities.

DHS and its partners encourage every computer user, from the occasional surfer to the enterprise administrator, to learn about available tools and resources which can help them become part of the cyber security solution. -- Assistant Secretary of Cybersecurity and Communication, Greg Garcia

At the kickoff Cyber Security Summit, which also highlighted the importance of protecting against identity theft, Garcia noted, "The developments we have made in strengthening federal systems, creating and implementing plans and procedures, and enhancing our operational cyber response capabilities have been revolutionary, but our work has just begun." A transcript of Garcia's remarks at the Summit is available from the DHS web site.

The theme of this year's campaign, "Protect Yourself Before You Connect Yourself," was chosen to demonstrate that both individual and enterprise users can take simple steps to protect their part of cyberspace and help secure America's cyber assets.

Cyber security is a vital part of global operations of security, diplomacy, and business, and this awareness campaign focuses attention on a problem that all sectors must address. Securing cyberspace is an ongoing mission.

Visit www.staysafeonline.org where you can download promotional web banners to add to your agency's home page or to your personal email signature line, submit your organization's National Cyber Security Awareness Month endorsement, or find activities in your area.