The city of Dripping Springs has recognized October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in collaboration with the national campaign “Stop. Think. Connect.”
The proclamation is a reminder to the public about the personal accountability to take protective steps towards cybersecurity in their home and workplace. Texas is the number one state in the nation for vulnerability to identity theft and fraud, according to a report released on WalletHub.
The alarming rate that Texans fall victim to cybesecurity threats has initiated the move to educate residents, said Dripping Springs communication coordinator Lisa Sullivan.
“Anyone online is at risk. The proclamation is a way for the city to show support for the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) initiative. Also, to show the city’s dedication to the education and awareness of cyber issues,” Sullivan said.
City staff will receive security awareness training in compliance with a new Texas law that requires local government employees to be certified in at least five cybersecurity training programs.
The CEO of Cyber Risk Management Solutions Bob LeBlanc helps businesses through cyber-attacks. LeBlanc said in this age of technology cyber-attacks are inevitable.
“It is not a matter of if someone is going to look for your data or personal information. It is a matter of when they do so and how you will recover,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc has several tips for users to protect themselves, but his biggest tip is to be careful. He suggested:
• Use only safe browsing such as a VPN or virtual private network, instead of using public internet when possible.
• Turn on security privacy settings on your computer.
• Only use credit cards that have security measures and will reimburse you for loss.
• Be cautious when downloading files online. Make sure you trust the website and scan it if possible.
For more tips to prevent cyber security threats check the National Initiative for Cyber Security.
