New York state launches cyber security education campaign

New York State on Monday started a campaign in an effort to raise cyber security awareness and remind citizens, businesses, government and schools that being safe and secure online is a shared responsibility. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the start of Cyber Security Awareness Month in New York State and issued a proclamation in support to raise citizen awareness about cyber-based threats and how to stay safe online. "It is often said that individual users represent the weakest link in the security chain and it is incumbent on us to encourage those users to understand and embrace their role in protecting information from unauthorized disclosure, alteration, or destruction," said Thomas Smith, chief information security officer for New York State. "Cyber Security Awareness Month offers an excellent opportunity to heighten awareness and educate users on the security policies and practices that serve as the foundation of an effective security program." The New York State Office of Information Technology Services, Enterprise Information Security Office is providing a number of educational resources to the public, including an electronic Cyber Security Awareness Toolkit. The Toolkit includes cyber security themed posters, calendars, guides, brochures, and other content that can be downloaded to help promote and reinforce cyber safety in practical, informative, entertaining, and usable ways. In conjunction with Cyber Security Awareness Month, the office is also coordinating a statewide cyber security poster contest for students, which is considered as an good opportunity for teachers to promote keeping children safe online in a fun way.