Countdown to National Cyber Security Awareness Month Kicks Off

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the nation's leading nonprofit public private partnership promoting the safe and secure use of the Internet, today announced that more than 200 organizations have signed on to be champions of the 11th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM).  With just two weeks to go until the official kick-off on October 1, these leading organizations join a growing global effort (http://staysafeonline.org/ncsam) among government, corporate, non-profit, and academic sectors to promote online safety awareness.

"The momentum growing for National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2014 is a testament to cybersecurity's increasing importance in today's always-connected world," said Michael Kaiser, Executive Director, National Cyber Security Alliance. "Since 2009, NCSAM's theme has been 'our shared responsibility'. The theme speaks to the role everyone plays in protecting themselves and the Internet we all share. We count on our partners – industry, nonprofits and government – to help get important cybersecurity messages to as many audiences as possible."

Launched in 2004, NCSAM is co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in cooperation with the NCSA and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Now in its 11th year, NCSAM has grown to include the participation of a multitude of industry leaders — reaching consumers, small and medium-size businesses, corporations, educational institutions and young people. Following a flurry of high-level data breaches, this year's efforts have even more urgency.  These issues are explored within the five weekly themes for NCSAM 2014 which include the following:

• Week 1: General Online Safety – Promoting online safety with the STOP.THINK.CONNECT.™ Campaign
• Week 2: Secure Development of IT Products - Building security into information technology products
• Week 3: Critical Infrastructure and the Internet of Things - The importance of protecting critical infrastructure and properly securing all devices
• Week 4: Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-Size Business - What emerging and established businesses can do
• Week 5: Cybercrime and Law Enforcement - Working with law enforcement to combat cyber crime and educating the public

The official kickoff for NCSAM will take place on October 1 in Nashville, Tenn. with the DHS, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and industry representatives.

Weekly Twitter chats will begin on Thursday October 2 at 3pm Eastern Time using the hashtag #chatSTC. The official hashtag for the month is #NCSAM.

Additional resources (graphics, tip sheets and more) and information on becoming a champion are available at NCSA's website. For information on NCSAM events around the country or to list your NCSAM event visit www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam/events. Supporters can get the latest news and updates on NCSA's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/staysafeonline) and on Twitter at @StaySafeOnline.

Many organizations host portals and provide tips to help people be safer and more secure online. Recommended resources to learn more about staying safe online include:

• Department of Homeland Security: STOP.THINK.CONNECT. (http://1.usa.gov/1eAEAAz)
• Microsoft: Safer Online (http://bit.ly/1dE7P1A)
• Federal Trade Commission: OnGuardOnline.gov (http://1.usa.gov/1t08ma0)
• ConnectSafely: A Parent's Guide to Cybersecurity (http://bit.ly/1m6utuG)
• Better Business Bureau: Data Security Guide http://go.bbb.org/XqFXgT  
• Federal Communications Commission: Cybersecurity for Small Biz (http://fcc.us/1m99WW8)
• National Consumers League: Fraud.org (http://bit.ly/1y8hwWc)

About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is the nation's leading nonprofit public private partnership promoting the safe and secure use of the Internet. Working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), private sector sponsors and non-profit collaborators to promote cybersecurity awareness, NCSA board members include ADP, AT&T, Bank of America, Comcast Corporation, EMC Corporation, ESET, Facebook, Google, Intel, Leidos, McAfee, Microsoft, PayPal, Symantec, Trend Micro, Verizon and Visa. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, NCSA's mission is to educate and empower a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protect themselves and the technology they use and the digital assets we all share. For more information on NCSA please visit: http://www.staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the national cybersecurity education and awareness campaign. The campaign was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, non-profits and government organizations with leadership provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).  The Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved at STOP.THINK.CONNECT.org.

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SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)