STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign Continues Global Expansion with Mobile Security Collaboration in Singapore and South Korea

Campaign Unveils New International Mobile Security Tips and Interactive Online Game in Conjunction with National Cyber Security Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the 10^th year of National Cyber Security Awareness Month comes to a close, the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign today announced a new education and awareness effort in partnership with infollutionZERO, an online safety education non-profit in Singapore and South Korea, and the Singapore Cyber Security Awareness Alliance. The goal of the initiative is to provide children, families, and schools all across the world, with core principles and simple tips that can help people of all ages enjoy safer and more secure use of digital devices and digital media – such as smartphones and the Internet.

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The first available resources from this effort include a set of international mobile safety tips and the launch of an interactive online game created by infollutionZERO and Nanyang Technological University. The online resource provides children with a game-playing experience to learn about various cyber-issues such as online predators, game addiction and cyber-bullying. Both the tips and information about the game are available in English and can be found at:
www.stopthinkconnect.org/international-mobile-safety-tips.

This effort comes at an important time amidst the growing need for more international collaboration in educating the world about online safety. And, the demand for global online safety resources will continue to rise considering that many people use their mobile device as a main way to access the Internet every day. A recent study commissioned by NCSA and PayPal about mobile security practices showed that in the U.S. alone, 32 percent of smartphone owners are increasing use of their device for shopping while 28 percent are increasing shopping via tablets.  Similar trends are also being observed in Singapore and South Korea, two of the world's most highly connected nations. Such reliance on mobile Internet access should be matched by increased vigilance to use these devices safely and more securely.

"The extension of STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign and National Cyber Security Awareness Month as an international effort in Singapore and South Korea speaks volumes about the global demand for online safety education resources," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of NCSA. "As the world's largest and most populous continent, we believe our new partnership with infollutionZERO and the Singapore Cyber Security Alliance will encourage a stronger society of digital citizens and mobile device users in Asia."

"There is a critical need to have a unified voice across nations in order to protect our children from cyber-risks," said Dr. Yuhyun Park, CEO & Co-Founder of infollutionZERO. "We are thrilled to partner with NCSA and participate in the global cyber-awareness campaign. As mobile phone usage among children starts at increasingly younger ages, it is important that we publish mobile safety tips for children and an online iZ HERO game which help children intuitively assimilate the core principles of cyber-security from an early age."

The STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign is a joint cybersecurity education and awareness campaign promoted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance in the USA. infollutionZERO is based in Singapore and South Korea, and promotes online safety and security, especially among youth (http://izhero.org, http://www.infollutionzero.or.kr). Future campaign materials will include posters, trading cards, key chain toys, and more fun educational tools. More information about the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign and the joint effort is available at: www.stopthinkconnect.org.

About National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Now in its 10th year, NCSAM is an awareness raising initiative to increase the resistance to cyber attacks and resilience if a cyber incident occurs. 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. The effort of government, industry and others during the month brings online safety and security messaging to millions of people so they are empowered to use the Internet safely and more secure. 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. NCSA board members include: ADP, AT&T, Bank of America, Comcast, EMC Corporation, ESET, Facebook, Google, Intel, McAfee, Microsoft, PayPal, Leidos, Symantec, Trend Micro, Verizon and Visa. Visit www.staysafeonline.org for more information and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline.

About infollutionZERO:
infollutionZERO is a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization based in South Korea. The principal goal of infollutionZERO is to address the challenges of "infollution" (information + pollution) such as obscene and violent contents, abusive language, sexual predators, cyber-bullies, and technology addiction besieging future generations. Please visit http://www.infollutionzero.or.kr for more information.

About iZ HERO™:
iZ HERO™ is an innovative educational entertainment program that provides a safe and fun interactive experience for children to naturally learn about responsible digital citizenship. It is a research-based and research-generating program that provides an integrated multimedia learning experience, including an interactive digital exhibition at Singapore Science Centre along with an online game, web portal, and comic book. iZ HERO™ has received two international awards from UNESCO as one of the world's most cutting-edge initiatives in the educational technology field. Please visit http://izhero.org for more information.

SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance