Happy National Cybersecurity Awareness month (NCSAM)! Yep, you read that right. A whole month dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of cybersecurity. NCSAM has been observed every October since the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched it in October 2004.

As you can imagine, cybersecurity efforts have changed drastically over the years as technology continues to become more complex and widely used. In 2009, the theme “Our Shared Responsibility” was introduced. This theme has stuck since, encouraging everyone from large corporations to individual computer users that keeping your digital assets safe and secure is within your limits.

In 2010, along with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign was launched. Considered the global online safety awareness campaign, the main objective is to help all digital users stay safer and more secure online. Their goal is to help people understand not only the risks that come with using the internet but also the importance of practicing safe online behavior.

In efforts to keep National Cybersecurity Awareness Month interactive while being educational, themes are implemented for every week of October. This year, the themes are:

Week one | Make your home a haven for online safety

October 1-5:  From connecting toys to changing the thermostat with an app, our everyday products need cybersecurity. Learning how to use the internet safely and securely will help protect your home from cyber threats.

Week two | Millions of rewarding jobs: educating for a career in cybersecurity

October 8-12: As we have discussed before, there are so many cybersecurity jobs that continue to go unfilled. Week two of NCSAM is dedicated to raising awareness about the many options a career in cybersecurity provides.

Week three | It’s everyone’s job to ensure online safety at work

October 15-19: No matter the size of your company, whether you have an IT department or you’re a team of 10, it is everyone’s job to ensure online safety. This week focuses on how, as our work lives and personal lives carry over, so should cybersecurity.

Week four | Safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure

October 22-26: The final week of NCSAM will focus on the big picture. How can we protect the critical infrastructures of our nation? This week is focused on informing the public on how they can help.

Now that we’ve provided an introduction to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s time to get involved! Stay Safe Online offers great resources to learn more about cybersecurity and provides a variety of ways you can do your part.