U.S. small business owners or operators have a false sense of cybersecurity as more than three-fourths (77 percent) say their company is safe from cyber threats such as hackers, viruses, malware or a cybersecurity breach, yet 83 percent have no formal cybersecurity plan. These findings are from a new survey released today of 1,015 U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Symantec.  (The full survey is available at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/resources/)

This annual survey is being released in conjunction with National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a coordinated national effort focused on improving online safety and security for all Americans. The survey findings reveal some disparities such as the need for establishing Internet security policies and practices, handling and responding to data breaches, and providing consistent IT/security management at their businesses.

By Kristin Judge

This October is the ninth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) work in partnership with public and private sector partners during October to send the message of Internet safety and responsibility to residents and businesses across the country.

(via MS-ISAC)

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. This is an effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Multi-State ISAC, and the National Cyber Security Alliance along with many governments, businesses, schools, and other groups to help improve cyber security preparedness. It's a great time to evaluate your online activities and take some basic steps to protect yourself.

Why Is National Cyber Security Awareness Month So Important?

In our online, mobile society, we are faced with an increasing barrage of cyber threats every day. Whether at work, home, school, virtually every part of our lives is now in some way or another connected to the Internet. Did you know:

• Someone becomes a victim of cyber crime every 18 seconds
• Cyber crime costs an average of nearly $200 per victim
• Mobile device vulnerabilities doubled in 2011 from 2010
• 40% of social network users have been victims of cyber crime on a social networking site

(Source all: Symantec)

What Can You Do to Participate in Cyber Security Awareness Month?

The theme of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is: Cyber Security Is Our Shared Responsibility. Each one of us plays an important role in securing cyberspace, and there are many actions we can take to make a positive impact.

(Read More)

As part of the October awareness month activities, the MS-ISAC is coordinating a joint webcast with DHS and NCSA, which will provided useful guidance to the non-technical user on the necessary steps to protect themselves and their computers from cyber incidents.

The Internet is a great place to explore and is a new playground of brilliant possibilities, but there's trouble often hiding in its shadows. That trouble can come in many forms, including malicious software, trickery, and identity theft. In this presentation, Ron Woerner will talk about the evils of the Internet, how the bad hackers can take over your computer and how they get your private information. It's not all doom and gloom, though. He will also show you some easy, everyday steps to protect yourself and others online. This session will focus on the basics of computer security, such as using strong passwords, use of external devices, phishing and social engineering, and protecting mobile devices. Come to this interactive presentation and learn simple tips for online safety and security for you, your organization, and your family.

Thursday, October 11, 2012
2:00pm -- 3:00pm (Eastern)

Register here.

(via MS-ISAC)

According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, more than 19 million records have been involved in a data breach so far this year.  Protection of data requires multiple layers of defense, and the use of encryption to secure sensitive data is a critical tool in this multi-layered approach.

Encryption scrambles a message or file so only the sender and the authorized individual with the decryption key can decode it. Encryption solutions generally encompass two types: hardware and software.  Examples of hardware encryption include a pre-encrypted USB device or hard drive; software encryption consists of a program installed on a machine that encrypts some or all of the data on the system.

(Read More)

The National Association of Counties has partnered with MSISAC, DHS and NCSA to put on some webinars in October, free of charge.

Many counties are responsible for critical infrastructure that is directly tied to cyber networks.  It is imperative that county officials and staff are armed with the necessary resources, knowledge, and partnerships necessary to combat the threats.

NACo has teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) to bring you the following webinars highlighting county government’s role in protecting the Nation’s cyber infrastructure.

(Read More and Register)

Friday, October 19
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Rackham Auditorium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Register today (http://safecomputing.umich.edu/events/sumit12/) .
Attendance is free, but registration is required.

This conference presents a rare opportunity to hear nationally recognized experts discuss the latest cyber security trends and threats at no cost. Speakers are:

Congressman Mike Rogers (MI-08)
Joe St. Sauver, Internet2 Security Program Manager
Professor Catherine Lotrionte, Georgetown University
Joe Adams, Merit Network, Inc. Executive Director of Research and Cyber Security
Joe Stewart, Dell Secureworks' Director of Malware Research
Niels Provos, Google Principle Engineer
Christopher Soghoian, ACLU Principal Technologist & Senior Policy Analyst

SUMIT is an annual symposium hosted by the University of Michigan to raise awareness and educate the community about cyber security trends.

Please feel free to share this invitation with others, and we hope to see you there!

Teachers, with National Cyber Security Awareness Month right around the corner, it might be a good time for you to incorporate cyber education into your curriculum! StaySafeOnline has lesson plans for all grades, K-12 and beyond.