The STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign has enjoyed helping you, your families, and your organizations stay safe online while traveling and on vacation this summer. However, it is important to remember that cyber threats also exist at home, at work, and at school. As we begin to replace our bathing suits and beach towels with backpacks and binders, let’s check out some tips on how to prepare for Back-to-School season:

Update your laptop’s security features:

• Whether you just bought a new computer or use a hand-me-down laptop, be sure to update your security features as soon as a new version is available.
• Do not wait weeks after you receive the ‘New Update’ notification to update your laptop. Updates include patches to your system that help close known vulnerabilities and improve your system’s functionality. Waiting to update your laptop puts your data and files at greater risk of being compromised.
• Create a positive digital image of yourself
• The Golden Rule applies online as well. ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’ – If you wouldn’t say it to someone in person, don’t say it on social media.
• Once content is posted online, it can never be completely erased. Even if you delete the post, the internet is forever. Negative things you post now could affect your professional and personal relationships later.
• Stay safe when buying school supplies online
• Only buy school supplies from websites you trust and that are secure (e.g. using ‘https://’ sites) – credit card fraudsters do not rest just because it is back-to-school season.
• Avoid phishing scams when opening emails advertising back-to-school deals by hovering over links to ensure the URL connects to the correct website and verifying the message is sent from a reputable organization.
• Sign up for computer science and cybersecurity electives and clubs
• Universities and colleges typically allow their students to make last-minute changes to their schedules in the first few weeks of the semester. Fill up some of your free time with available IT, computer science, or cyber-related elective courses this 2018-2019 school year. Be sure to check out all of the cyber clubs your campus has to offer as well!
• Stay connected! Follow us on Twitter: @Cyber, @NPPD, @StaySafeOnline, and @STOPTHNKCONNECT. Use hashtag #CyberAware to find more information on how industry, academia, federal and state governments, and many other organizations are participating in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2018 this October and how they stay safe online.

Prep now! Less than 2 months until NCSAM 2018!

 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is excited to commemorate the 15th anniversary of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) in October 2018. Below you will find the overarching theme along with four key messages that DHS will be highlighting throughout the month.

Overarching Theme 

• Cybersecurity is Our Shared Responsibility and We all Must Work Together to Improve our Nation’s Cybersecurity

Key Messages  

• Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem
• Cybersecurity is a Cross-Cutting, Cross-Sector Challenge, So We Must Tackle it Together
• Increase and Strengthen the Cybersecurity Workforce Across all Sectors
• Secure Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats

To ensure you are receiving all of the latest NCSAM-related updates, check out how you and your organization can become a Partner of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign at

https://www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect-join-campaign

For general information about NCSAM, visit

https://www.dhs.gov/ncsam

To learn more about the weekly themes and how to get involved during NCSAM 2018 from our co-leading partners in NCSAM, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), visit

https://staysafeonline.org/ncsam

Put your cyber searching skills to the test with our Back-to-School Cyber Scavenger Hunt!

Compete with your kids! Ask your children to count the number of cyber elements in their classrooms and compare it to the number at your place of work.

• Computer = 1 point
• Phone = 1 point
• Tablet = 1 point
• Smart Watch = 2 points
• Digital Camera = 2 points
• Smart TV = 2 points
• Printer = 2 points
• Smart Refrigerator = 2 points
• Gaming Console = 3 points
• Projector = 3 points
• Smart Security System = 3 points

1 – 6 points: You’re a Signal Sophomore!

You probably don’t have many electronics connected to the internet. Routinely clean the devices you do own and back up your data frequently.

7 – 14 points: You’re a Junior Captain of Connectivity!

You’re often connected wherever you go and probably use social media frequently. Remember to check your privacy and location tracking settings on your various online accounts.

15 – 22 points: You’re a Senior Cyber Guru!

Your home is likely filled with the latest and greatest tech. Create unique passwords for every account and update your various software frequently to keep your devices clean.

CAE Highlights  

DHS and the National Security Agency (NSA) congratulate the universities, colleges, and junior colleges that have joined the National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) program this year! Currently, there are over 240 top colleges and universities across 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico participating in the CAE program. This month, DHS and NSA are featuring two schools on our CAE Highlights page, Capitol Technology University in Maryland and Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina. Find the full list of schools here and learn how to apply to become a CAE by visiting

https://niccs.us-cert.gov/formal-education/national-centers-academic-excellence-cae

Have a Cyber-Safe School Year!

Ron Benvenisti