Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, October 18, 2017
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) urge Hoosiers to follow prudent practices in their online activities to protect personal information. October is designated as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Indiana via a proclamation from Governor Eric J. Holcomb and nationally the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other partners.
"We've seen over the past several months how important cybersecurity is to citizens. Corporate breaches, citizens being caught by viruses or phishing emails, information is getting out to criminals," said Chief Information Officer Dewand Neely, who oversees IOT. "There is a true need for more cybersecurity personnel and there are job opportunities open now for folks looking to make a difference."
Hoosiers can find up-to-date cybersecurity tips, Cybersecurity Career Fair registration, training opportunities, and other resources at www.in.gov/cybersecurity.
Simple tips include:
• Don't click on links sent from unknown sources.
• Use strong passwords with laptop, credit, bank and other accounts. Don't share passwords.
• Don't overshare on social media sites. If you post too much information about yourself, an identity thief can find information about your life, use it to answer "challenge" questions on your accounts, and get access to your money and personal information.
• Keep your browser secure. To guard your online transactions, use encryption software that scrambles information you send over the Internet. A "lock" icon on the status bar of your Internet browser means your information will be safe when it's transmitted. Look for the lock before you send personal or financial information online.
• Safely Dispose of Personal Information. Before you dispose of a computer, get rid of all the personal information it stores. Use a wipe utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive. Before you dispose of a mobile device, check your owner's manual, the service provider's website, or the device manufacturer's website for information on how to delete information permanently, and how to save or transfer information to a new device.
Beyond providing practical resources to Hoosiers, the State of Indiana is constantly engaged in using technology to maximize cybersecurity protections across public and private networks. This year, Governor Holcomb re-launched the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity to formalize strategic cybersecurity partnerships across the public and private sectors. The council is composed of people from government, business, military, and academic institutions.
"Given the number of high-profile cyber-attacks on large companies and even government entities, individuals and companies throughout Indiana can't be too careful when it comes to securing their information and systems online," said IDHS Executive Director Bryan J. Langley. "We want Indiana to be at the forefront of protecting our citizens and workplaces from these kinds of intrusions."
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