All Systems Go: The 15th Annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Launches on October 1

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The 15^th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is fast approaching. Oct. 1 kicks off of this month-long campaign devoted to educating everyone about the roles they play in helping to safeguard the internet. NCSAM 2018 will remind all internet users that practicing online safety is "Our Shared Responsibility," and digital citizens need to support this collective mission. In addition, NCSAM 2018 will shine a spotlight on the importance of building a strong cybersecurity workforce to help better protect families, communities, businesses and the country's infrastructure.

NCSAM was co-founded and is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Over the last several years, it has grown in reach and influence. In today's always-connected world, the month's primary goal is to provide all internet users with the information and tools they need to be safer and more secure online and to educate everyone about protecting personal information.  

As a springboard into October, the 2018 NCSA Awards were announced yesterday. Created to recognize excellence in digital safety, NCSA seeks to honor organizations going beyond the norm to help everyone stay safer and more secure online. For more information visit https://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/ncsaawards/. Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, Oct. 2 just as NCSAM begins.

Other organizations – as well as individuals ‒ can take part in officially supporting NCSAM by signing on as Champions. Champions dramatically strengthen the greater effort by spreading the word about online safety at home, at work and in the community and by hosting events. To date, 500 organizational Champions and more than 250 individuals are paving the way to make NCSAM 2018 the most impactful yet. Champions receive weekly emails during October with user-friendly materials – such as infographics, memes and sample social media posts – to stay involved with the month's activities. Organizations that become Champions also have the opportunity to co-brand an activity they may be planning as a NCSAM Partner Event.

"Over the last several years, NCSAM's cultural adoption and far-reaching awareness has been striking. Active involvement has grown exponentially as everyone is beginning to understand we all contribute online safety. At the core of its success is steadfast collaboration among industry, government, academia and nonprofit organizations nationwide," said Russ Schrader, NCSA's executive director. "NCSA and DHS strongly urge all organizations and consumers to protect themselves by taking simple, actionable steps this October and year round. In addition, we are committed to strengthening the nation's cybersecurity workforce and to ongoing education so that the message of shared responsibility resonates widely."

In order to reach a variety of audiences with Our Shared Responsibility and education/cybersecurity career messaging, each week in October is devoted to a unique support theme. The NCSAM 2018 themes are:

• Week 1: Oct. 1-5 Make Your Home a Haven for Online Safety
• Week 2: Oct. 8-12 Millions of Rewarding Jobs: Educating for a Career in Cybersecurity
• Week 3: Oct. 15-19 It's Everyone's Job to Ensure Online Safety at Work
• Week 4: Oct. 22-26 Safeguarding the Nation's Critical Infrastructure

To learn more about the themes and how to bolster efforts for NCSAM 2018, check out NCSA's Get Involved infographic. On a weekly basis, NCSA and partners will distribute materials to make it easy to share valuable NCSAM 2018 information that supports that week's topics. Connect with us on social media and learn the latest NCSAM news by following and using the hashtag #CyberAware. Get involved in the conversation by participating in our weekly #ChatSTC Twitter chats, which take place every Thursday in October at 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT (you can learn more about the October #ChatSTC chats and other NCSAM events – and submit your own event – here. NCSA has also created sample social media posts and graphics that you can download and share leading up to and throughout the month. Additional information about NCSAM, along with resources like infographics, posters and social media content, can be found at staysafeonline.org/ncsam.

Join #ChatSTC Twitter Chat: Get Ready for #CyberAware Month 2018
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT
Everyone has a role to play in promoting a safer, more secure and more trusted internet. The 15th annual NCSAM will highlight user awareness among consumers, students/academia and business. This #ChatSTC Twitter chat will discuss what NCSAM is all about, what's coming up this October and how you can learn more and join the greater effort. Use #ChatSTC and #CyberAware to join!

About National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. Now in its 15th year, NCSAM was co-founded and is co-led by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, the nation's leading nonprofit public-private partnership promoting the safe and secure use of the internet and digital privacy. Recognized annually in October, NCSAM involves the participation of a multitude of industry leaders ‒ mobilizing individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, academia, multinational corporations and governments. Encouraging digital citizens around the globe to STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, NCSAM is harnessing the collective impact of its programs and resources to increase awareness about today's ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Visit the NCSAM media room: staysafeonline.org/about-us/news/media-room/.

About the National Cyber Security Alliance  
NCSA is the nation's leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA's primary partners are DHS and NCSA's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AT&T Services Inc.; Bank of America; CDK Global, LLC; CertNexus; Cisco; Cofense; Comcast Corporation; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Intel Corporation; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; NXP Semiconductors; Raytheon; Salesforce; Symantec Corporation; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA's core efforts include National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from DHS; and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/.  

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the global cybersecurity education and awareness campaign. The campaign was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, nonprofits and government organizations with leadership provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved at stopthinkconnect.org. 

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance

Related Links

http://www.staysafeonline.org