October has been recognized as National Cyber Security Awareness Month every year since 2003. This effort was brought to life through collaboration with many stakeholders globally. National Cyber Security Awareness Month was created to ensure that every individual and organizations including businesses stay safe and secure online.
Digital Literacy Initiative participated in a Cyber Security Awareness Tweet Chat on October 28, 2020, in collaboration with Internet Society Uganda Chapter and Encrypt Uganda. Digital Human Rights Lab supported this awareness campaign, (DHRLab) is part of the project “Human Rights Protection in the Digital Age” implemented by Better Place Lab and Future Challenge with support from GIZ.
The theme of this year 2020 was "Do your part. #BeCyberSmart". The live Tweet Chat had the objective to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, with a particular emphasis on this year's key message "Staying Safe Online in times of the Global Pandemic".
The discussion started by defining what cyber/digital security is and an exploration of the several Cybersecurity threats organizations should look out for including malwares, phishing, man in the middle attack, Trojan horse among others and a discussion of how these threats can be prevented using antivirus, firewalls, secure passwords to avoid unauthorized access to the device, network or application, updates and patched.
The discussion further created awareness about what organizations or individuals should do when it comes to password security by updating and changing passwords often, Use of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Educating users about password safety, using different passwords for each account, and use of password management tools to automate the creation and secure storage of passwords.
Furthermore, the chat assessed best cybersecurity practices organizations and individuals can adopt to prevent cyber threats, exploring credit card fraud and Identity theft and how and how it can be prevented suggesting measures like not sharing personal information, reporting lost credit cards, avoid leaving a paper trail, securing emails and being mindful of links you click on.
Finally, the chat explored how safely individual and organizations can use their mobile device for sharing data and communication by GOING ALL OUT! to Set Secure Passwords, Keeping the device's OS Up-To-Date, connect to secure WIFI, being aware of downloads, avoiding Jailbreak (Rooting) devices while making sure Phone data is encrypted and an antivirus installed.
#BeOnlineBeSmart #BeCyberSmart #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth
