We are constantly being bombarded with news involving cyber criminals, cyber attacks, ransomware demands, data breaches, and so much more. These dangers seem so far removed from daily life because they appear to focus on big businesses and organizations, not smaller entities and everyday people.
For example, recently in the news, a local school district became the target of a ransomware attack by hackers demanding a large sum of money before they will remove the infected software and restore access to the district’s data.
We are living in a connected world that involves laptops, desktop computers, mobile devices, and even smart devices (i.e refrigerators, alarm systems, etc.) in our homes. Virtually every electronic device we use is accessible from anywhere in the world through the internet.
The internet is a community that, like our physical and social communities, has rules and responsibilities to which we should adhere. Our actions can either help secure our internet community or potentially put in danger our national assets such as the power distribution grid, gas and oil industry, telecommunication systems and even schools. Cybersecurity practices and policies help protect information and privacy.
If systems become infected, other members of the community will also be impacted. The malicious infection will spread to other systems and the whole community will be victims of the attacks. When we protect ourselves, we protect the community.
IT Services has implemented policies, procedures, and technologies to protect information and privacy for all employees. Additionally, the campus has offered in-person cyber awareness sessions during the annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NSCAM) in October. To learn more about the importance of practicing effective cybersecurity, visit the IT Services website. Some great tips for staying safe online are also available at Stop.Think.Connect.
If you have questions regarding online safety, please contact IT Services.