The old adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link is especially true when it comes to making the Internet safer and more secure. Over the past decade, the National Cyber Security Alliance has worked with its government and industry partners, including Gemalto, to ensure there are an abundance of online safety resources available to help keep your business and devices – especially with the growth in Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) practices – safe from online threats.
But reading and utilizing these resources is only the first step. Sharing these resources and educating your employees and customers about how to strengthen their own online security posture is the mission behind the NCSA’s website, StaySafeOnline.org.
At NCSA we like to say that making the Internet safer and more secure is our shared responsibility. We can all help others, including friends and family, to be safer online – even parents who may feel like their children are more comfortable using smartphones than they are. Indeed, becoming an “online safety expert” sounds like a daunting task. And with the rapid pace at which smartphones, tablets and now wearable Internet-enabled devices are advancing, staying “Web wise” is no small feat.
But there is a basic foundation in online security and safety that – without any formal cybersecurity training – business owners, IT professionals, employees, parents, teachers, and volunteers at community centers and with mentoring organizations can instill within your workplace and environment.
Here are some readily available resources that can empower you, your customers and your employees to be online safety experts:
• Take part in RE: Cyber: The goal is to supply CEOs and Boards with tools to ascertain the cyber risk to their own companies and to devise a plan to mitigate and better manage their cyber risk. This webpage should serve as a first stop for CEOs and Boards to find cybersecurity information tailored for them, links to the latest guidance, and additional resources.
• Assess your risks and monitor threats: Awareness of key threats will enable you to employ practices and behaviors that limit your company’s risk.
• Implement a cyber security plan: A computer network assessment will help you begin a cyber security plan to mitigate the largest risks to your business.
• Protect your customers: Trust is an essential element of customer relationships. When it comes to Internet security, your customers trust you to protect the personal information they share with you.
• Train your employees: Protecting your company online begins with ensuring your employees are prepared to assist in keeping your computers and networks safe.
• Tip sheets: Learn how to better protect your business with our tip sheets, infographics and other resources.
Interested in a corporate social responsibility initiative? C-SAVE is a volunteer program that adults can use to teach young people cyber security, cyber safety, and cyber ethics, with three distinct curricula for appropriate age groups. We encourage individuals as well as organizations to bring C-SAVE into schools, libraries and community centers. Learn more about C-Save.
I hope you take the opportunity with these resources to make the Internet safer for you and more secure for all.
