Sally Abou Melhem <sa256@aub.edu.lb>, Office of Communications
AUB announced its commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held annually in October, by signing up as a 2021 Champion and joining a growing global effort to promote the awareness of online safety and privacy. The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals committed to the Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme of “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart." This online safety awareness and education initiative is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
More than ever before, technology plays a part in almost everything we do. Connected devices have been woven into society as an integral part of how people communicate and access services essential to their wellbeing. Despite these great advances in technology and the conveniences this provides, recent events have shown us how quickly our lives and businesses can be disrupted when cyber criminals and adversaries use technology to do harm. Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities, while offering actionable guidance surrounding behaviors anyone can take to protect themselves and their organizations. Everyone has a responsibility to do their part in securing our interconnected world.
This year, the Cybersecurity Awareness Month will focus on three main areas. The first is understanding and implementing basic cyber hygiene, including the importance of strong passphrases, using multi-factor authentication, performing software updates, and backing up data. The second is recognizing and reporting phishing attempts whether it's through email, text messages, or chat boxes. And the third is making cybersecurity a priority in business by making products and processes “secure by design" and considering cybersecurity when purchasing new internet-connected devices.
If everyone does their part – implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees – our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.
In its 18th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online.
For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/