The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the NYS Office of Cyber Security today announced the start of Cyber Security Awareness Month in New York State.
 
Cyber Security Awareness Month is a nationally recognized effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the National Cyber Security Alliance, and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers.  The goal of the national campaign to raise cyber security awareness across the country and to empower citizens, businesses, government and schools to improve their cyber security preparedness.
 
“The cyber threat environment continues to be extremely challenging, particularly as organizations and individuals increase the use of mobile devices and cloud services," said Thomas D. Smith, Director, New York State Office of Cyber Security.  "It is essential to heighten awareness of threats and encourage the adoption of effective security policies and practices.  Cyber Security Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity to focus attention on best practices that will help users safeguard their information from disclosure or destruction.”
 
In celebration of the ninth annual Cyber Security Awareness Month, the New York State Office of Cyber Security (OCS) is providing a number of educational resources to the public, including an electronic Cyber Security Toolkit.  The toolkit includes cyber security-themed posters, calendars, bookmarks, guides, brochures and other content that can be downloaded to help promote and reinforce cyber safety themes in practical, informative, entertaining, and usable ways.
 
The Toolkit material can be found on the OCS website at www.dhses.ny.gov/ocs/awareness-training-events/#awareness.
 
OCS is also coordinating a statewide cyber security poster contest for students in grades K-12.  Entries may be used in State, regional, and national computer security awareness campaigns.  New York State winners will be featured on the OCS website and entered into the National Contest with the opportunity to be featured in the 2014 Cyber Security Calendar.  For more information on the poster contest, please visit http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ocs/awareness-training-events/events/2012/index.... click on the Poster tab.
 
For more information on Cyber Security Awareness Month, please visit http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ocs/awareness-training-events/events/2012/index.cfm.