Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in North Carolina. As a partner in the Department of Homeland Security’s Stop Think Connect Campaign, the State of North Carolina is proud to promote Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the importance of online safety. Together we can positively impact our online community.
Throughout October, the N.C. Department of Information Technology – Enterprise Security and Risk Management Office (ESRMO) is highlighting the issue of cybersecurity through weekly tips. Online safety and security are shared responsibilities. ESRO will host a Cyber Awareness Day on Oct. 27 at the State Library & Archives building in Raleigh.
Chief Information Security Officer Pyreddy Reddy of the DHHS Office of Privacy and Security, suggests these simple steps to help keep you, your identity, and your information safer online:
- Set strong passwords and don’t share them with anyone.
- Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.
- Maintain an open dialogue with your family, friends, and community about Internet safety.
- Limit the amount of personal information you post online and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely.
- Be cautious about what you receive or read online — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Do not respond or open the attachments via email from the people you do not know – If you are suspicious about the email and attachment please contact DHHS Privacy and Security Office
- Beware of social Engineering attempts: Neither DHHS nor state will ask you personnel information via email, always verify who you were talking to disclosing any information
- Please report all privacy and security incidents at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/administrative-divisions-offices/office-privacy-security
In his proclamation, Gov. McCrory notes the vital role that technology plays in our daily lives and in the future of our nation, “whereby many citizens, schools, libraries, businesses and other organizations use the Internet for a variety of tasks, including keeping in contact with family and friends, managing personal finances, performing research, enhancing education and conducting business.” In his proclamation, he encourages visits to the following websites for more information regarding Internet security:
- State of North Carolina Cyber Security and Risk Management – https://it.nc.gov/statewide-resources/cybersecurity-and-risk-management
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security – www.dhs.gov/topic/cybersecurity
- National Association of State Chief Information Officers – www.nascio.org
- National Cyber Security Alliance – www.staysafeonline.org
- NC DHHS Privacy and Security Office - http://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/administrative-divisions-offices/office-privacy-security
The ESRMO-hosted Cyber Awareness Day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Oct. 27 at the State Library & Archives Building. The
focus of this year’s awareness session will be “Insider Threats – Managing
Your Knowns”.
Click here for details. Please tell your
friends and colleagues, and remember, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.
- Jim Jones