2. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Public/Private Partnership across Sectors, States
Safer, more Secure, Resilient Online Experience
16th
Year of
Impact
Background:
Held every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the federal led for NCSAM and other national-level cybersecurity awareness issues (e.g., STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign) throughout the year. CISA co-leads NCSAM activities, messaging, and events with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA).
This is the 16th year, CISA has led NCSAM and we continue to work closely with governments partners at all levels (Federal government, industry, international partners, Small and Medium sized Businesses (SMB), and State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) government) to help enhance our Nation’s cybersecurity posture by engaging with their staff, communities, and the public. CISA, through NCSAM, is working to create a safer, more secure, and resilient cyber world. 2

3. Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2019 is about taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace
Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business:
This year’s main effort is to encourage all Americans to take proactive steps to enable lasting, positive cybersecurity behavior change at home and at work. Protecting against cyber threats is a critical challenge for organizations of all sizes in both the public and private sectors and serves as a constant reminder of the need to promote cybersecurity awareness across the Nation. NCSAM highlights the importance of empowering citizens, businesses, government, and schools to improve their cybersecurity preparedness. It reminds us that being more secure online is a shared responsibility and creating a safer cyber environment requires engagement from the entire American community. 3

4. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Key Messages
OWN IT.
Understand your digital profile.
Understand the devices and applications
you use every day to help keep you and your
information safe and secure.
SECURE IT.
Secure your digital profile.
Protect against cyber threats by learning about security features available on the equipment and software you use.
PROTECT IT.
Maintain your digital profile.
Be familiar with and routinely check privacy settings to help protect your privacy and limit cybercrimes.
Protect Critical Infrastructure
Heighten resilience and understand how to best protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats
NCSAM 2019 Theme – Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.
NCSAM 2019 emphasizes personal accountability and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace. This year’s slogan – Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. – focuses on key areas including citizen privacy, consumer devices, and e-commerce security. Use this information to encourage positive user behavior change in events, resources, and activities throughout the month of October.
“Own IT.”
The number of devices connected to the Internet is increasing at an exponential rate, and this makes it even more important to understand your digital profile and the potential for cybersecurity threats. OWN your online safety by taking proactive steps to ensure your information is secure.
Understand your digital profile.
Internet-based devices are present in every aspect of our lives: at home, school, work, and on the go. Constant connection provides opportunities for innovation and modernization. But constant connection also presents the potential for cybersecurity threats that can compromise your most important personal information. Understand the devices and applications you use every day to help keep you and your information safe and secure. Avoid the use of free or open Wi-Fi networks, which cybercriminals often exploit.
Potential Topics: Privacy Settings, Safe Social Media Posting, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Internet of Things/Smart Technology, Don’t Let Your Tech Own You
“Secure IT.”
Technology is evolving, as are the tactics used by cybercriminals to obtain your, your family’s, or your company’s data for financial gain. SECURE your devices and accounts with added layers of security.
Secure your digital profile.
Cybercriminals are very good at getting personal information from unsuspecting victims and criminal methods evolve with technology. Protect against cyber threats by learning about security features available on the equipment and software you use. Apply additional layers of security to your devices – like Multi-Factor Authentication – to better protect your personal information.
Potential Topics: Creating Strong Passwords, Multi-Factor Authentication, Ecommerce, Zero Trust, Protecting Against Phishing/Ransomware/Malware
“Protect IT.”
Understanding how to keep your digital profile safe will help protect you from cybercrime. The ways cybercriminals can gain access to your information is constantly evolving, which means everyone must work to PROTECT their information by practicing good cyber hygiene at home and in the workplace.
Maintain your digital profile.
Every click, share, send, and post you make creates a digital trail that can be exploited by cybercriminals. To protect yourself from becoming a victim of cybercrime you must understand, secure and maintain your digital profile. Be familiar with and routinely check social media platform privacy settings to help protect your privacy and limit cybercrimes. Cybersecurity is an ongoing practice that evolves with the technology landscape.
Potential Topics: Researching and Assessing Your Digital Profile, ‘Cyber Hygiene’, Physical Security and Cybersecurity Comparison

5. Engage your Community Download the NCSAM toolkit which includes:
great ideas for activities and events
sample posts for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
customizable talking points, blog posts, content
and much more
Co-brand your products with the NCSAM 2019 Logo
Add the NCSAM 2019 Web Button to your organization’s website
Do Your Part:
You and your organization can help promote NCSAM 2019 in multiple ways. Start by downloading the NCSAM toolkit – found at A toolkit outlining key messaging, important information, and ways to promote NCSAM 2019 is available for individuals and organizations alike. Within this toolkit is a wealth of resources and tools to aid in the promoting of NCSAM and help engage various audiences.
The toolkit a wealth of resources to engage and promote the core theme and critical messages leading up to and throughout October. As the slide illustrates, it includes great ideas for activities and events; sample posts for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; customizable talking points, blog posts, content; and much more. Also on that site, you can download this year’s NCSAM logo to co-brand your products or add a NCSAM 2019 web button to your website. 5

6. Raise Awareness
Promote National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in social media; use #CyberAware and #BeCyberSmart hashtags
For all outreach efforts, use National Cybersecurity Awareness Month social media graphics and sample posts
Do Your Part Continued:
NCSAM this year will have an ever more robust social media presence! We ask that if you and your organization aren’t already doing so, join the conversation online via your favorite social media platform. You can contribute to the conversation by using the hashtags on this slide. Also, you can find NCSAM-branded social media graphics and sample posts on the NCSAM Website I mentioned on the slide before. 6

7. For more information, contact stopthinkconnect@hq.dhs.gov
Closing & Questions:
Everyone has the responsibility to Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. and maintain a level of cybersecurity awareness. Make the choice to be proactive not just during NCSAM but as a part of your daily routine year-round. Cybersecurity is a critical effort and one that takes each one of us doing our part.
We look forward to partnering with you to educate as many stakeholders as possible about staying safe online. By working together, we can make significant progress in raising cybersecurity awareness and promoting security practices. Your active involvement will help to facilitate a safer Internet experience for all Americans.
If you have more questions about NCSAM 2019 or how your organization can get involved,
Visit month-2019 to download your toolkit