How It All Began
As the new millennium dawned, we realized that we were increasingly dependent on the internet. Moreover, e-trade, purchasing, and business were booming online. With the plethora of advancements, however, also came the need for increased security.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) was launched by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in October 2004 as a broad effort to help all Americans become safer and more secure online.
The Purpose of the Campaign
The campaign is meant to bring national public awareness to understanding cyber threats. Americans are encouraged to view internet safety as a shared responsibility. That’s something we here at PC Matic believe in as a core principle.
While the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign is part of a joint effort between federal and state governments, it also includes non-profit organizations, industry, and personal users. Therefore, it’s the goal of this campaign to get everyone working together.
NCSAM provides simple, easy-to-understand resources. Additionally, it aims to provide Americans with the tools they need to make more informed decisions online. The educational resources help increase your cyber knowledge.
Currently in its 17th season, NCSAM has released this year’s theme and schedule. Let’s take a look.
NCSAM Theme and Schedule
The official theme of 2020 is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.”
From the NCSAM website, they elaborate further on the theme and the schedule.
This theme encourages individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, stressing personal accountability and the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity.
NCSAM emphasizes “If You Connect It, Protect It.” Throughout October, CISA and NCSA will focus on the following areas in our promotions and outreach:
- First, October 1 and 2: Official NCSAM Kick-off
- Next, Week of October 5 (Week 1): If You Connect It, Protect It
- Third, Week of October 12 (Week 2): Securing Devices at Home and Work
- Fourth, Week of October 19 (Week 3): Securing Internet-Connected Devices in Healthcare
- Finally, Week of October 26 (Week 4): The Future of Connected Devices
Use NCSAM’s hashtag #BeCyberSmart before and during October to promote your involvement in raising cybersecurity awareness.
Throughout The Month
First, look for Tech Talk to bring you more information this month. We’ll be breaking down common security issues and giving you ideas on how to stay more secure. In addition, we’ll provide helpful links to other educational resources.
Second, we want to see your thoughts on cybersecurity. Interact with us on our socials while using the #BeCyberSmart hashtag. How are you staying safe? What security tips do you find most helpful? Can you spot a scam?
Finally, share a story. We want to hear from you. Connect with us on our socials to tell us about a cybersecurity issue you’ve encountered. The more we share, the more we learn. And we can all learn from each other.
Let’s have a great Cybersecurity Awareness Month and learn to be more safe together!
