September is National Preparedness Month: Be Prepared, Not Scared

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reminds its partners that September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), which promotes family and community disaster and emergency planning. This year’s theme is “Prepared, Not Scared.” Although most people understand that being prepared is essential to getting through an emergency such as a natural disaster, there is less awareness about the necessity of cybersecurity preparedness. Cybersecurity preparedness is often a deciding factor on how much an impact a cyber-related event – such as a ransomware infection, identify theft, or data breach – has on an individual or an organization. CISA encourages individuals and organizations to develop their own cyber emergency response plans that include guidance on protections and controls such as keeping software and operating systems updated, regularly backing up files, keeping encrypted copies of important documents offline, and routinely running anti-virus scans. CISA encourages its partners to learn more about National Preparedness Month at Ready.gov/September and see Ready.gov/Cybersecurity and the following CISA Tips for resources on preparing for, and responding to, unexpected cyber-related events: Protecting Against Ransomware; Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft; Handling Destructive Malware; Protecting Against Malicious Code. Read the advisory at CISA.