It's Cyber Security Awareness Month in Nevada and Across the Nation

Governor Brian Sandoval proclaimed October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in Nevada. The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management, and the Department of Administration’s Enterprise IT Services Division join the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in promoting NCSAM. This campaign is a nationwide effort to educate and engage the public and private sector, government employees, and the American public on cyber security issues through a variety of communications and outreach activities held across the country throughout October.

The world is more interconnected today than ever before. We enjoy the benefits and convenience that cyberspace provides, including online shopping, mobile banking, and communicating with friends and family through social networks and email. However, we also face a range of threats—identity and intellectual property theft, network intrusions, and financial crimes—from these cyber networks.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is an opportunity to provide Nevadans with the tools they need to stay safe online. Throughout October, we urge Nevada residents to help create a safer and more secure cyber environment by taking the following steps to keep themselves, their identities, and their information safe online:

• Set strong passwords, and don’t share them with anyone.
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized and secure 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.
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

During Cyber Security Awareness Month, watch for important messages and reminders about how you can help keep cyber systems safe both at work and at home:

Week 1: Every Day Steps Towards Online Safety with Stop.Think.Connect
Week 2: Cyber Security a Shared Responsibility
Week 3: Recognizing and Combating Cybercrime
Week 4: Our Continuously Connected Lives: What's Your 'App'- titude?

Every year since 2004, the President designates October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Now in its 12th year, National Cyber Security Awareness Month promotes cyber security through events and initiatives. Since its inception, National Cyber Security Awareness Month has been formally recognized by Congress, Federal, state and local governments, and leaders from industry and academia.

For more information on cyber security visit: www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect