It’s the third week of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), and this week we’re taking a look into the future through the lens of the connected internet and identifying strategies for security, safety and privacy while using the latest technology. With the explosion of digital interconnectivity in today’s homes, vehicles and offices – and the constantly evolving technology landscape – it’s critical to explore the roles we all play in protecting our cyber ecosystem.
Smart cities, connected healthcare devices, digitized records and smart cars and homes have become our new reality in the growing Internet of Things (IoT). It’s important to remember that your personal data and habits are the fuel that makes smart devices work. Cutting-edge technology can make your daily activities easier, and more efficient and help you improve your life, but it’s important to remember to STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Take security precautions, think about how your information is shared and connect your devices to the internet with more peace of mind.
The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) has identified these simple STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips to help you protect your always-on world (and check out our Week 3 infographic for connected home advice):
- Learn how to safeguard your IoT devices: Protecting devices like wearables and smart appliances can be different than securing your computer or smartphone. Research how to keep an IoT device secure before you purchase it, and take steps to safeguard your device over time.
- Pay attention to the Wi-Fi router in your home: Use a strong password to protect the device, keep it up to date and name it in a way that won’t let people know it’s in your house.
- Delete when done: Many of us download apps for specific purposes or have apps that are no longer useful or interesting to us. It’s a good security practice to delete apps you no longer use.
- Own your online presence: Understand what information your devices collect and how it’s managed and stored – and set the privacy and security settings on devices to your comfort level for information sharing.
- Research before you buy: Before adopting a new smart device, do your research to make sure others have had positive experiences from a security and privacy perspective.
- Lock down your login: Fortify your online accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics, security keys or a unique one-time code through an app on your mobile device. Your usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking and social media.
We have many additional exciting things coming up this week, and we hope you’ll join! Today, we’re partnering with Nasdaq to host our NCSAM 2017 Cybersecurity Summit. Experts from government and industry will debate a variety of issues, including the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, machine learning, standards and authentication for a safer and more secure connected world. The summit will feature a mix of panel discussions, fireside chats and TED-style talks on securing breakthrough technologies. Follow #CyberAware on social media for tweets and updates.
NCSA will also be participating in DC CyberWeek, a weeklong festival in our nation’s capital focused on bringing together cybersecurity experts, decision makers and leaders from the government and tech communities. DC CyberWeek is made up of dozens of distributed events powered by the tech community and complemented by core conferences, parties and projects created by the festival organizer, CyberScoop.
Here are a few additional ways you can participate in NCSAM this week online and in the community.
- Get involved on social media. Use the #CyberAware hashtag in your posts, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and download our sample social media content to share before and during the month.
- Become a NCSAM Champion. Register yourself and/or your organization as a Champion to take action in support of NCSAM and receive materials you can use to spread the word. It’s easy and free to sign up.
- Join our #ChatSTC Twitter chats. Each week, @STOPTHNKCONNECT is hosting a discussion on a different online safety topic. This Thursday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT, we’ll discuss the growing Internet of Things and how we can use cutting-edge technology in safer and more secure ways. Use #ChatSTC to join!
For more information on NCSAM and how you can get involved, visit our NCSAM web portal and check out DHS’ STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ page. We look forward to partnering with you to make this NCSAM the best yet!