{"id":68195,"date":"2014-10-10T08:30:48","date_gmt":"2014-10-10T13:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=68195"},"modified":"2017-04-07T20:34:20","modified_gmt":"2017-04-08T01:34:20","slug":"making-cybersecurity-priority-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2014\/10\/making-cybersecurity-priority-october\/","title":{"rendered":"Making cybersecurity a priority in October"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though Caribbean countries might not yet observe October as Cyber Security Awareness Month, this article briefly highlights key threat trends, along with some tips that individuals and businesses can adopt to become safer online.<\/em><\/p>\n

Increasingly, the month of October is being observed as Cyber Security Awareness Month worldwide. Launched in the United States in 2004, objectives of this observation is to heighten awareness among private and public sector partners, along with the international community about cyber threats, and share tips and best practices.<\/p>\n

Over the past several months there have been few public reports of major breaches occurring in the Caribbean. However this does not mean that they have not been occurring, but rather they are not making it into the public domain. High profile breaches are still occurring internationally, the most recent of which were JP Morgan Chase<\/a>, where 76 million homes and 7 million businesses affected; and Home Depot<\/a>, where as many as 56 million accounts were reportedly at risk.<\/p>\n

Threats and trends<\/h3>\n

According to the Security Threat Report 2014<\/a><\/em>, published by Sophos, some of the sacred cows of the computing world, such as Apple\u2019s Operating System (OS), and servers that run Linux OS, which generally are perceived to be safer than other OSs, are increasingly being subject to a broad range of threats. Furthermore, malware, botnet and the other popular threats, have all showed signs that they are evolving, becoming more sophisticated, more resilient, and more camouflaged (Source: Sophos<\/a>). Essentially, consumers will be challenged to detect and address threats, but to have any measurable success requires consistent awareness and vigilance, which underscores the benefit of a Cyber Security Awareness Month.<\/p>\n

The Caribbean\u2019s response<\/h3>\n

Across the region, many countries are seeking to establish Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) or Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), which when operational, could be useful in heightening and improving local capacity and capabilities in cybersecurity. In the private sector space, firms like the Caribbean Cyber Security Center (CCSC)<\/a>, have been partnering with governments across the region, especially with regard to increasing child safety online. According to CCSC co-founder, Deon Olton:<\/p>\n

The Internet of today and ICT create access to a trove of possibilities and benefits from which individuals and companies grow, develop and derive commercial gains. However, this connectivity brings with it the possibility of increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse of personal, company and government data and resources. That is why it\u2019s important that all stakeholders from the guy on the street, the CEOs and Prime Ministers make cyber security a priority and by extension it will be a national priority.<\/em><\/p>\n

The responsibility to be cyber safe requires input from local governments, private sector industry partners, business, education, and civic society. The Caribbean Cyber Security Center, (CCSC), through our efforts and with the assistance of our partners continue to improve our cyber security awareness campaigns, workshops, writings and publishing articles and community outreach.<\/em><\/p>\n

This October 2014, the Global Cyber Security Awareness Month, we have cause for much celebration as this year marks the first anniversary of the launch of our own Child Online protection Campaign \u2013 \u201cThinkClickSurf\u201d which is now present in at least five Caribbean islands\u2026<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Cybersecurity tips to adopt during October<\/h3>\n

Though cybersecurity should be a year round activity, in this Cyber Security Awareness Month here are some tips \u2013 many of which we have shared before \u2013 to keep your devices, and your personal information stored online, safer:<\/p>\n