Connected Families And Communities In The Spotlight During National Cyber Security Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — From the moment we wake up until the time we go to bed, the Internet has become the enabling thread that holds together our day. This increased connectivity, however, and our ever-growing number of connected devices has also made us more vulnerable to cybercrime. Against this backdrop, National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), which is co-led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), is focusing its third week on making our families and our communities more secure.

According to the Pew Research Center[1], nearly two-thirds of Americans are now smartphone owners and for many, these devices are a key entry point to the online world. At the same time, 62 percent of Americans fear that their smartphone or computer will be hacked[2]. This penetration all but erases the static notion of “going online” and underlines our new reality, where Internet connectivity is actively a part of many consumers’ day-to-day, personal, professional and community lives. As such, a major call to action this October is for every family to designate a family online security officer – someone who spends time thinking about all the digital components in their lives, assesses what security systems need fixing or upgrading, determines a family action plan and makes cybersecurity discussions a regular part of family conversation.

“The days of making the ‘family’ computer secure with anti-virus protection and common sense decisions are long gone. The sheer number of new, connected devices have changed the game,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of NCSA. “Most American households have numerous devices ‒ cars, wearables, TVs, smartphones and even baby monitors ‒ that provide functionality through an Internet connection. This always-on, always-connected world requires a new, proactive attitude that will allow us to enjoy the benefits of the Internet with the greatest confidence. Appointing the most digitally literate member of the household to make the safety and security of these devices and the way family members use the Internet a regular priority can help make this a reality.”  For the full article click here 

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