What Local Government Can Do

With numerous channels to reach citizens and as a trusted source of information for the community, local governments can be a powerful force in making their communities more cyber secure. Consider doing the following during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month:

• Join the national campaign for cybersecurity education and awareness: STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Get details at www.stopthinkconnect.org. 
• Post the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. tips and advice (http://www.staysafeonline.org/tools-resources/stop-think-connect) and NCSAM posters in government offices, community centers, and police stations.
• Ask your highest level elected official to issue a proclamation or hold a press conference to encourage citizens to learn about staying safe and secure online.
• Encourage citizens to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov). Leads can be packaged by the IC3 and used by local law enforcement to understand trends. For help with identity theft, point citizens to the Federal Trade Commission’s website: www.onguardonline.gov.
• Develop a local task force to make your community more cybersecure. Check out the Washtenaw County Cyber Citizenship Coalition (http://washtenawcybercoalition.org) and ESET’s Securing Our eCity (http://securingourecity.org) for inspiration.
• Give a cybersecurity presentation to your business community. Resources for business can be found at: http://www.staysafeonline.org/for-business/resources-smallmed-sized-businesses.
• Work with the local school board, department of education, and parents to ensure that the school curriculum is comprehensive and addresses cybersecurity, cybersafety, and cyberethics. Learn more at http://www.staysafeonline.org/in-the-classroom/ncsa’s-national-k-12-studies.
• Work with your IT department to make sure your Department’s cybersecurity is in top shape:

1. Review and update the acceptable use policy for all technology (computers, mobile devices, networks, and personal devices) being used by employees on the job.
2. Have a plan in place in case of a data loss or breach.
3. Have all network users change their password during the month.
4. Conduct annual cybersecurity training and presentations for employees and review acceptable network usage policies.

• Become a fan of the NCSA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/staysafeonline) and STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/STOPTHINKCONNECT).
• Blog about cybersecurity throughout the month. Use social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to disseminate information and encourage customers and employees to learn more about staying safe online. Feel free to use content found at www.staysafeonline.org.
• Learn more at www.staysafeonline.org and www.stopthinkconnect.org.

What Local Government Can Do 2011

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• Get Involved Resource
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Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:50

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What Local Government Can Do 2011 (Word doc)

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