The first ever joint effort to educate the public about internet safety has just been kicked off with a new educational campaign from the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), two groups representing industry, government and non-profits. The program is built around a single message of “Stop. Think. Connect.” The theme is designed to help build a culture of cyber awareness so that following the right online behaviors becomes as second nature to us as clicking your seatbelt before driving.
The kickoff event was held this morning at Seattle's Public Library and featured speakers like White House Cybersecurity Chief Howard Schmidt, and representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Microsoft, Facebook and other major security players. DHS Deputy Secretary Lute said during a panel that, "the habits of each affect the security of all." Her statement underscores the sense of shared responsibility that the group hopes can be ingrained in all who experience the message.
Just as the major publicity campaigns and laws to reinforce the behaviors around fastening your safety belt changed the behavior of the public in a few years, our combined efforts are intended to help all of us achieve better cyber safety by a few learned techniques. The development of the simple but comprehensive message came from over a year’s research into American’s understandings and attitudes about cybercrime and their online habits. Not only do we already understand that ultimately we’re the ones most able to stop us from falling victim to cybercrime but we also see how our own actions can impact our family, friends and co-workers. When your computer gets infected, it increases the likelihood you might spread that virus or worm to those on your wired, wifi or social network.
From the press release: “’Stop. Think. Connect.’ is a simple, actionable message that applies to everyone as we connect to the Internet from an array of devices, including laptops, personal computers, smart phones and gaming consoles,” said NCSA Executive Director Michael Kaiser. “Taking a quick moment to evaluate that we are prepared to access the Internet, provide information or engage in the larger community online can increase our sense of personal security, confidence, and peace of mind.”
Take a moment to consider your own online habits and resolve to adopt “Stop. Think. Connect” and the underlying behavioral changes as your own this month. For more information, visit the campaign website at www.stopthinkconnect.org.