NASCIO Champions National Cyber Security Awareness Month
LEXINGTON, Ky., Thursday, September 18 — Acknowledging the importance of protecting citizen data and raising awareness of security threats, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) endorses October 2014 as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. This October marks the 11th Anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month and for this observance, NASCIO has updated its Resource Guide for State Cybersecurity Awareness, Education, and Training Initiatives. The Resource Guide is now available at www.nascio.org/publications/. Visit NASCIO’s Cybersecurity Awareness resource page to learn more www.nascio.org/advocacy/cybersecurity/.
“NASCIO is excited to kick off National Cyber Security Awareness Month at our 2014 Annual Conference this year in Nashville,” said Craig Orgeron, NASCIO president and Mississippi chief information officer. “With cybersecurity remaining a top issue for our state CIOs, it is critical that we continue to bring attention to the significance of online safety and security. States across the country are creating programs to ensure that every citizen has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. The month of October allows us to highlight each state’s initiatives and understand our shared responsibility.”
NASCIO has joined forces with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the National Cyber Security Alliance in supporting National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which is designed to increase the public’s awareness of cybersecurity and crime issues so citizens can take precautions to avoid those threats on the Internet. Public relations activities, educational programs, events and initiatives that target home users, small businesses, education audiences (K-12 and higher education), and child safety online will be featured throughout October. To find out more about participating in National Cyber Security Awareness Month, please visit www.staysafeonline.org.