Message from Councilman Roc White | October 6, 2023
There seems to be countless events, holidays and causes to commemorate in October, from Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to Fire Prevention Week, to, of course, Halloween.
I would like to use this space to shine special attention on Cybersecurity Awareness Month, marking its 20thanniversary this October. It is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources he or she needs to be safe and more secure online.
Our entire world is intricately connected through digital networks, from mobile to connected home devices. And while the evolution of technology accelerates at a mind-numbing pace, cybercriminals are working just as hard to find ways to compromise the latest technologies and disrupt personal and business life for their financial gain.
I continually commiserate with friends and professional associates who have been victims of computer hacks. Cyber attacks, ranging from data breaches and identity theft to ransomware attacks and espionage, have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, posing significant challenges to all of us.
A primary concern for all of us should be privacy erosion. Personal information stored online, including all of our financial data, social media profiles, and healthcare records, is vulnerable to theft. Cybercriminals exploit these vulnerabilities, leading to identity theft and financial fraud. This loss of privacy erodes our collective trust in digital platforms, which play such a central role in our lives.
I also am worried about the economic implications, affecting businesses of all sizes. The costs associated with data breaches, system repairs, and legal fees are staggering. Moreover, businesses may face reputational damage, leading to loss of customers and revenue. In extreme cases, cyber attacks can disrupt critical infrastructures, such as power grids and transportation systems, crippling entire economies.
For 20 Octobers and counting, Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to highlight some of the emerging challenges that exist in the world of cybersecurity and provide straightforward tips for all of us to create a safe and secure digital world.
To mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, allow me to cite four simple steps from our nation’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to ensure your online experience is not compromised.
- Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Strong passwords are long, random, unique and include all four character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols). Yes, this is a pain, but it is very important. Password managers are a powerful tool to help you create strong passwords for each of your accounts. (And please make sure to write them down!)
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA)
You need more than a password to protect your online accounts and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked. Use MFA for all your online accounts that offer it, especially email, social media and online banking.
- Recognize & report phishing
Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources. Report phishing attempts and immediately delete those messages.
- Update software
Ensuring your software is up to date is the best way to make sure you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Regularly check for updates if automatic updates are not available.
It is my hope that momentum will continue to build for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with the goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online.
On behalf of the Township, I am proud to support this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative, co-managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance.
