Public and Private Industry Leaders Will Urge Internet Users to Make Safety a Bigger Priority at the 10th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month Launch

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leaders from government, industry and the non-profit community will come together to urge American Internet users to improve not just their awareness of online threats, but also their daily commitment to protecting themselves, their families and their communities. The urgent call to action will occur at the launch of the 10^th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month in Boston.

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Coordinated by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this year's month-long celebration is focused on transforming the awareness gains of the past decade into tangible, meaningful actions that will make the Internet safer for everyone. The 2013 theme, "Our Shared Responsibility," highlights the role that every Internet user must play in securing the national and global Internet infrastructure.

The event including remarks from government officials and a panel discussion will be available for viewing via Facebook Live beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET at: https://talks.facebooklive.com/.

"In cybersecurity, the buck needs to stop with each and every one of us who use the Internet," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of NCSA. "For all the talk of distant, anonymous Internet threats, the Internet can become safer, more secure and trusted if individuals take simple, but vital steps to secure their devices and accounts and use good judgment online. Every Internet user in every setting plays a role in defending against the tide of threats like phishing, malware and identity theft."

Throughout October, NCSA and its many dedicated industry and public-sector partners will urge users to STOP. THINK. CONNECT. We can become much more cyber secure if all computer users implement some common practices including:

• Keeping clean machines: taking steps to keep all Internet connected devices free from malware and infections.
• Making passwords long, strong and unique
• Protecting personal information

More tips are available in NCSA's new fact sheet about botnets at: http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/resources/botnet-fact-sheet.

"Industry applauds NCSA and DHS for the growth of NCSAM over the last 10 years," said Chris Boyer, NCSA Board chair and assistant vice president of Global Public Policy at AT&T. "The basic building blocks of the effort—public-private partnership, harmonized messaging, and a multitude of grassroots efforts—have proven a winning formula for undertaking the task of reaching all Americans with online safety messaging."

Companies and organizations large and small across the nation participate in NCSAM by holding events, releasing education materials and increasing awareness. Some examples of what's happening include:

• ConnectSafely's New Parents' Guide to Cybersecurity, Oct. 1, Online & In-print 
  Connectsafely.org will mark NCSAM with a free 12-page pamphlet and Web guide for families, starting with Parents' Top 5 Questions about kid and family related security for home networks, computers and mobile devices. The PDF version can be downloaded at ConnectSafely's Security Center (www.ConnectSafely.org/security). 

• CoNetrix Security Awareness and Social Media Safety Webinars, Oct. 4 & Oct. 30, Online  
  CoNetrix, a full service computer networking, security, and compliance firm, is hosting two complimentary webinars to educate companies and individual users. The first webinar covers security awareness training to help companies and individuals identify online risks on Fri., Oct. 4. The second webinar, on Wed., Oct. 30, covers the professional application of social media, including the risk management and policy controls companies should consider related to these types of sites. Anyone can register for either webinar at https://www.conetrix.com/Webinars.aspx.

• Nova Southeastern University Cybersecurity Day, Oct. 17, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 
  NSU's Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences is hosting a series of events throughout the month, including a webinar for small businesses, a healthcare-related summit, a "Raising Savvy Cyber Kids" event for parents, a presentation by federal law enforcement agents who combat cybercrime, and, on Oct. 17, Cybersecurity Day on the NSU campus, where it will host high school students from Miami Dade County Schools to discuss ways to stay safe online. 

• ADP to Co-Host Second Small Business Summit on Security, Privacy, and Trust, Oct. 30, Wayne, N.J.  
  ADP in partnership with NCSA, Microsoft®, ESET, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the William Paterson University Small Business Development Center, and the Passaic County, New Jersey Department of Economic Development will host the second Small Business Summit on Security, Privacy and Trust. Tailored for small and midsized businesses, this interactive event aims to help owners learn how to better safeguard their business, employees and clients by learning more about best practices in cyber security. Continuing professional education (CPE) credits are available for Summit participants. To register, please visit: http://smallbusinesssecuritysummit.eventbrite.com/.

In addition the month-long theme of "Our Shared Responsibility," each week will focus on a different Internet topic. These themes are among the most popular trend areas that affect both consumers and businesses:

• Week 1: General Online Safety & 10^th Anniversary of NCSAM
• Week 2: Being Mobile: Online Safety & Security
• Week 3: Cyber Education and the Next Generation of Cyber Leaders
• Week 4: Cybercrime
• Week 5: Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure

There are myriad ways to stay safe online and NCSA's core mission in the coming years is to ensure that all digital users are armed with that know-how. One simple way to stay safe is to STOP. THINK. CONNECT. when accessing the Internet. Founded in 2010, STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the global cybersecurity education and awareness campaign with nearly 100 participating companies, organizations and government entities. Materials are available in five languages along with more information about the campaign at www.stopthinkconnect.org.

Additional event information and resources are available at the official 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 National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Now in its 10th year, NCSAM is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity in order to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since President Obama's proclamation in 2004, NCSAM has been formally recognized by Congress; federal, state and local governments, as well as leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer, more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam or www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month.

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 National Cyber Security Alliance