National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020, Week One – If You Connect It, Protect It

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020’s Week 1 theme, “If You Connect It, Protect It” seems fitting this year. With widespread and persistent remote working, there is no telling how many home routers, wireless access points, mobile devices, gaming systems, toasters, coffeemakers, and baby monitors have unintentionally been connected to corporate networks. Left unsecured, these hostile foreign devices are not only vulnerable to a plethora of cyber threats, but they also have the potential to wreak havoc on enterprise networks, home networks, and the internet at large. With cyber being integral in our personal lives, at work, and a cost of doing business, nearly every facet of our lives is impacted by what we do online. As cybersecurity-conscious organizations, we have a duty to inform and empower all users to protect against the risks posed to and from every type of device they use – at work and home. To that end, utilities are encouraged to share with staff the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Telework Essentials Toolkit and Telework Guidance and Resources. Additionally, the Telework Guidance and Resources page includes a National Security Agency (NSA) document on Compromised Personal Network Indicators and Mitigations to help users safeguard their personal networks and data. The more cyber smart everyone is, the safer the internet will be for all. “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” Access the Telework Essentials Toolkit and Telework Guidance and Resources page at WaterISAC.