For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced yesterday the beginning of National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2014, an effort to increase the American public’s understanding of basic cybersecurity practices and the role each of us plays in keeping cyberspace safe and secure. Cybersecurity is a critical component of the nation’s economic wellbeing and has become an integral part of our collective national security. Both essential services and critical infrastructure increasingly rely on cyber networks and systems. Improving the security and resilience of these networks is one of DHS’s core missions.
“Today our nation’s cyber networks are as much a part of the American homeland as they are indispensable to modern life in America – the very backbone of our 21st century economy and a major nerve center of our national security,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. “Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Every one of us must practice basic cyber security because an intrusion into one computer can affect an entire network.”
Yesterday, DHS also joined the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) for a formal kick-off of National Cyber Security and Awareness Month in Nashville, Tenn. The Department and its partners will host additional events throughout the month around the country to promote cybersecurity awareness.
National Cyber Security Awareness Month reflects our shared responsibility to secure cyberspace, and looks ahead by engaging all members of the community in an ongoing dialogue about emerging cybersecurity issues. DHS works year-round to increase cybersecurity awareness through its Stop.Think.Connect.™ campaign, which encourages Americans to practice safe online behavior. The campaign offers the following tips to stay safe 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.
For more information about National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2014, visit here.
###