Consumers are confident they’re safe online, but hackers have proven otherwise, stealing $172 billion from 978 million consumers in 20 countries.

In 2017, consumers globally reported an average loss of $142 per victim and nearly 24 hours dealing with the aftermath. In the United States, 143 million consumers were victims of cybercrime – more than half the U.S. adult online population.

The 15th year of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Recognized every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) – #CyberAware – was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure that all Americans have the information they need to stay safer and more secure online.

2018 marks the 15th annual NCSAM, co-led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, the nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership focused on cybersecurity education and awareness.

Russ Schrader, Executive Director of NCSA comments; “We’ve come a long way in 15 years – there is no longer a line between our online and offline lives. Our homes, societal well-being, economic prosperity and nation’s security all involve the internet. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us that the internet is a shared resource and responsibility – we are all digital citizens and must take steps to secure ourselves at home, on the job or on the go.”

What does each week of NCSAM include?
As we ramp up toward the fall elections, the 15th annual NCSAM will include a full week dedicated to critical infrastructure – from the power grid to transportation to smart cities and elections.

The month will also provide guidance for consumers about how to best protect their digital lifestyles – at home, at work and on the go – and remind everyone that protecting the internet is “Our Shared Responsibility.”

In addition, NCSAM 2018 will shine a spotlight on the critical need to build a strong, cybersecure workforce to help ensure families, communities, businesses and the country’s infrastructure are better protected.

Themes for the month include:
1. Make Your Home a Haven for Online Safety
2. Millions of Rewarding Jobs: Educating for a Career in Cybersecurity
3. It’s Everyone’s Job to Ensure Online Safety at Work
4. Safeguarding the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure

Watch for posts from Cyber Solutions Technologies on social media each week.

How to educate employees and protect data
During October, the Department of Homeland Security encourages businesses to utilize their STOP. THINK. CONNECT. initiative to further educate employees about risks and safety while using the Internet.

You can become a partner and gain access to a toolkit to help you get started, as well as accessing a volume of awareness efforts for your workspace.

Make this October the month you make cybersecurity education a priority within your organization. Protect yourself and help keep the web a safer place for everyone.

Cyber Solutions Technology is a proud partner of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and an NCSAM Champion. We can help your business with enterprise solutions and technology consulting for cybersecurity. For more information about a consultation, contact us today.