Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Thursday, October 12, 2017

This month, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDSH) is encouraging Hoosiers to take the necessary steps to ensure their households and workplaces remain secure while online.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and this year’s theme is “Stop. Think. Connect.” Some of the topics the IDHS is covering this month include the following:

  • Hoosiers are encouraged to learn how to safeguard themselves online and about the strategies needed to recover from a cyber attack.
  • Focus on cybersecurity in the workplace, which emphasizes that all employees share responsibility for their specific shared organization.
  • Sensitive and personal information is what makes smart devices work. Even though the innovative technology we are using is extremely useful in our day-to-day lives, it is critical to understand how to use this technology in safe and secure ways.
  • Careers in cybersecurity — by 2022, there will be a shortage of 1.8 million information security workers, according to a study by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education. Students and other job seekers are encouraged to explore cybersecurity careers and learn about the growing field.
  • Protection of critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Day-to-day essentials like electricity, financial institutions and transportation all rely on the internet. Having a resilient infrastructure is crucial to national security.

In order to stay safe on the internet, it is important that you make sure of a few things: keep a clean machine and be aware that your device is free of viruses and malware; think twice about how your device operates and the nature of its connection to the internet; and be sure that your network is secure to guarantee safety.

This past summer, Gov. Eric Holcomb organized the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity with representatives from state government agencies, state security officials and information technology and computer safety experts from the private sector. Creating this council was a proactive step to combat hacking and cyber-attacks on individuals and organizations in Indiana.

For more information about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2017, click here. For more tips on how to keep your sensitive data secure, visit www.GetPrepared.in.gov.