National Computer Security Day

Monday, November 30th is National Computer Security Day. This day was enacted by a chapter of the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) to raise public awareness in 1988 as a response to the burgeoning threats of cyberattacks.

Fifteen years later in 2003, the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security began working together to create the National Cyber Awareness System.

In the 32 years since National Computer Security Day came about, the understanding of how critical it is for any organization to take steps in protecting their organization’s information network has never been more essential.

Everyday there is a new threat of malware, ransomware, and insiders’ breaches. What are some simple steps your organization can take today? Here are just a few.

Create a strong password culture In computer security, length matters. Passwords that are 6 characters are easier to hack, especially if they are only made up of lowercase letters. To beef up your password, weave a 9-character combination of uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Lastly, avoid using the same password for every account.

Update spyware and malware protection software First, check to see if your operating system is up to date. If that is set, update your protection software. Run a scan and do not forget to invite your other devices to the party. Phones and tablets are also major security risks, so be diligent.

Encrypt and backup your data Encrypt your data. But keep this in mind: even the best brain teaser can be cracked. With enough time and computing resources, encryption can be hacked. That is why it is still important to back up your information on either the cloud or an external hard drive. After the backup is completed, verify that the data is still encrypted and not corrupt.