Throughout the past year and a half, our already virtual world depended even more on the Internet. Organizations land individuals like you moved more online than ever before – to work remotely, attend school, to socialize, and to simply have fun in the midst of a global pandemic.

While an increased online presence can be positive, Cybersecurity Awareness Month encourages everyone to take increased ownership of enhanced online activity and the important security practices that come along with it. The virtual safety of our community, and, ultimately, our nation, depends on our personal online safety practices.

Cybersecurity is a priority to Summit County Government. We are committed to helping our staff and those we serve become more aware. In 2021 the overall theme of Cyber Security Awareness Month is Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart . Each week of October has an individual theme as well, and you are encouraged to understand and educate yourself in each of these very important areas of cyber security. Throughout October, you will learn how to:

• Week of October 4 (Week 1) - Be Cyber Smart: Take simple actions to keep our digital lives secure.
• Week of October 11 (Week 2) - Fight the Phish!: Highlight the dangers of phishing attempts—which can lead to ransomware or other malware attacks—and how to report suspicious emails.
• Week of October 18 (Week 3): Explore. Experience. Share. (Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week): Celebrate National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education’s (NICE) Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week and the global cybersecurity workforce and highlight how individuals can learn how to become a cybersecurity professional.
• Week of October 25 (Week 4): Cybersecurity First: Explore how cybersecurity and staying safe online is increasingly important as our world continues to operate virtually for so much of work and play.

We should all approach cybersecurity with care in owning, securing, and protecting all our online accounts and information. Summit County Government would encourage everyone to review these resources to keep yourself safe online:

• CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month Website: cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month
•  CISA’s Cyber Essentials – basic cyber best practices for business leaders: cisa.gov/cyber-essentials
• Learn about careers in cyber with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies: niccs.cisa.gov