Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October and Discuss the Next Decade in Cybersecurity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This October marks the 10^th National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), an effort that educates millions of people each year about the importance of online safety and security. During the month, leaders from the public and private sectors will come together to advance its universal theme that protecting the Internet is "Our Shared Responsibility."

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The 10^th year marks a pivotal point in the nation's ongoing cybersecurity effort.  While events like National Cyber Security Awareness Month have helped create an engaged and knowledgeable Internet user base, the size and scale of threats continues to grow. In the coming decade, vigilance and taking personal responsibility to practice safer and more secure online behavior will remain core principles in protecting the Internet. NCSAM will continue as a critical vehicle for renewing everyone's commitment to protecting our vital digital assets.

As they have since the first NCSAM in 2004, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will lead and coordinate efforts throughout the nation, focused on empowering everyone, from individuals to enterprises, to stay safer and more secure online.

"In the last decade, the tireless efforts of our industry and public sector partners during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and all year long, have helped make 'cybersecurity' a household word," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of NCSA. "And while 10 years is a major milestone, there are no laurels to rest on in making the Internet safer, more secure and trusted. In the years ahead, we must double down on our efforts, maintain a focus on education and awareness and provide pathways for action. We can only do this by sharing the responsibility."  

The scale of NCSAM has grown tremendously since its inception in 2004. Last year alone, the effort reached more than 500 million people through events, traditional and social media and other channels. In 2010, NCSA launched STOP. THINK. CONNECT., a national cybersecurity education and awareness campaign. STOP. THINK. CONNECT. has nearly 100 participating companies, organizations and government entities and has gone global through partnerships with Canada, Panama, Paraguay, the Organization of American States and other international groups. Materials are available in five different languages on the website (www.stopthinkconnect.org).

The October schedule features events designed to reach the widest possible range of audiences. The official NCSAM kick-off event will take place on Tuesday, October 1st in Boston, MA with leaders from the federal, state, local government and industry. NCSAM education and activities are fueled in large part by many companies, non-profit organizations and government entities that participate in NCSAM. A sampling of activities and events include: 

• EDUCAUSE Live! Webinars 2013, Oct. 1, Online
  EDUCAUSE, a non-profit association of college and university IT professionals, will host an NCSAM kick-off webinar on Oct. 1 with Larry Pesce, SANS Certified Instructor and Senior Security Analyst for InGuardians, to discuss mobile device security. Registration for the webinar, and all of EDUCAUSE's resources and activities to support their members, are available at http://www.educause.edu/security.
  
  
• Visa Global Security Summit, Oct. 2, Washington, D.C.
  The Visa Global Security Summit is a must-attend event for executives from business, government, academia and law enforcement. The event will convene speakers to discuss today's top issues including the latest cyber threats, emerging payment innovations and new solutions to protect electronic payments.  Registration is free. To sign up, visit: http://www.visasecuritysummit.com/.
  
  
• Cybersecurity & Cybersafety Workshop for Girls, Oct. 5, College Park, MD
  This is an interactive learning and mentoring experience for girls in grades 6-8 who are interested in technology, computers and cybersecurity. Visit http://cyber.umd.edu/education/saturday-workshops.
  
  
• CyberFest2013, Oct. 10, San Diego, CA
  Securing Our eCity Foundation's annual symposium and awards, CyberFest2013 - The Truth About Cybersecurity, provides practical applications and implementation processes from experts to help organizations strengthen their company's defense against cybercrime and malicious activity. The keynote address will be provided by Dr. Roger Schell, renowned cybersecurity expert. To sign up visit: www.securingourecity.org/cyberfest2013. ESET and the Securing Our eCity Foundation are also launching the internet safety campaign known as "Calling All Parents."  This educational series of public service announcements will air on NBC7 San Diego and include important tips for parents and children to stay safe online.
  
  
• 2013 Michigan Cyber Summit, Oct. 25, 2013, Novi, MI
  Governor Rick Snyder will join other leaders in the state's ongoing cyber initiative aimed at defending Michigan against cyber attacks and positioning the state to take advantage of opportunities in the growing cybersecurity industry. Visit https://events.esd.org/MichiganCyberSummit2013.aspx.
  
  
• Weekly #ChatSTC Twitter Chats, Thursdays in October on Twitter
  Each Thursday in October the National Cyber Security Alliance and STOP. THINK. CONNECT. will host Twitter chats with leading government, industry and non-profit participants. The chats are at 3 p.m. ET and can be followed with the hashtag  #ChatSTC. Visit http://www.stopthinkconnect.org/twitterchats.

"It's never too late to join the NCSAM effort," added Kaiser. "Take the time to get involved in NCSAM and help make the Internet safer for everyone."

Additional event information and resources are available at the newly launched NCSAM Web Portal:http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/events. NCSAM supporters can get the latest news and updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline and on Twitter at @StaySafeOnline. The official Twitter hashtag of NCSAM is #ncsam. NCSA also welcomes organizations to show their support for NCSAM by becoming an official NCSAM Champion and submitting their registration at:
http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/champions/.

About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a non-profit organization. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to educate and empower a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protect themselves and the technology they use and the digital assets we all share. Learn more at www.staysafeonline.org.

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the national cybersecurity education and awareness campaign.The campaign was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, non-profits and government organizations with leadership provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).  The Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved at the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/STOPTHINKCONNECT, on Twitter at @STOPTHNKCONNECT, and at www.stopthinkconnect.org.

SOURCE The National Cyber Security Alliance