October Marks Cyber Security Awareness Month

October has been proclaimed “Cyber Security Awareness Month” in the State of Hawai’i.

Governor David Ige made the proclamation as recognition that the state holds a vital role in identifying, protecting, and responding to cyber threats.

Hawai’i’s recognition of the awareness month coincides with National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The month is recognized to encourage citizens to learn about cyber security and implement their knowledge into their homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses.

As part of the national awareness month, the annual “Stop.Think.Connect.” campaign empowers the American public to take security precautions, understand the consequences of online actions and behaviors, and enjoy the benefits of the internet.

“Maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which each of us has a critical role to play,” said state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy. “In addition to the importance of protecting personal and other sensitive information, critical infrastructure sectors are increasingly reliant on information systems. The state is doing its part in aligning our cyber security approach with national frameworks and deploying additional security tools and practices to increase protection against network-based threats.”

The following tips have been provided by the State of Hawai’i:

When in doubt, throw it out — Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often the way cyber criminals compromise computers. If it looks suspicious, even if the source is known, it is best to delete or, if appropriate, mark as junk email.

Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots — Limit the type of business conducted and adjust the security settings on devices to better manage who can access machines.

Protect your money — When banking and shopping, check to be sure sites are security enabled. Look for web addresses starting with “https://” or “shttp://” indicating that the site takes extra measures to help secure information (“http://” is not secure).

A 2010 national survey conducted for the National Cyber Security Alliance and Anti-Phishing Working Group found that concerns over identity theft ranked slightly higher than fears of job and healthcare loss.

In the study, 54 percent of Americans were extremely concerned about loss of personal or financial information while 53 percent were concerned about losing their jobs and 51 percent feared not being able to provide healthcare for their family.

To learn more about cyber security, visit the “Stop. Think. Connect.” website or the Information and Communication Services Division’s Cyber Security Team website.