Durham, NC — Durham County Government is a Champion of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2016. The County has joined a growing global effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals to promote online safety awareness.
Recognized every October, NCSAM was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure all digital citizens have the resources needed to stay safer and more secure online while also protecting their personal information. As an official Champion, Durham County Government recognizes its commitment to cybersecurity, online safety and privacy.
Coordinated and led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NCSAM has grown exponentially since its inception, reaching consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, corporations, educational institutions and young people across the nation and internationally. NCSAM 2015 was an unprecedented success, generating more than 1,700 news stories –an increase of 74 percent from NCSAM 2014’s media coverage. Kicking off NCSAM’s 13th year, this October presents a new opportunity to expand cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness globally.
"The Champion program is a vital part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month’s ongoing success. More than 700 organizations joined last year, a nearly 80-percent increase from the year before,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. “We are thankful to our 2016 Champion organizations for their support and commitment to our shared responsibility of promoting cybersecurity and online safety awareness."
“As part of Durham County Government NCSAM efforts, our goals are to bring awareness and education to our County employees and the community at large on how to stay safe online, continue to educate our employees on best practices for protecting Durham County’s data, and to continue reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity practices within Durham County Government,” said Greg Marrow, chief information officer for Durham County Government.
For more information about NCSAM, the Champion program and how to participate in a wide variety of activities, visit staysafeonline.org/ncsam. NCSAM supporters are encouraged to follow and use the official NCSAM hashtag #CyberAware on Twitter throughout the month.
About National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Now in its 13th year, NCSAM is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity in order to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since President Obama’s proclamation establishing NCSAM in 2004, NCSAM has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/ncsam or dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month.
About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ is the global online safety awareness campaign to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online. The message was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, nonprofits and government organizations with leadership provided by NCSA and the APWG. The campaign was launched in October of 2010 by the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Messaging Convention in partnership with the U.S. government, including the White House. NCSA, in partnership with the APWG, continues to lead the campaign. DHS leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved by following STOP. THINK. CONNECT. on Facebook and Twitter and visiting stopthinkconnect.org.
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