MACON/ATLANTA/SAVANNAH — Mercer University has been named a Champion of this year’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). The University joins a growing global effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals to promote the awareness of online safety and privacy.
A multi-layered and far-reaching campaign held annually in October, NCSAM is celebrating its 15th year as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure all digital citizens have the resources needed to stay safer and more secure online while also protecting their personal information.
As an official Champion, Mercer recognizes its commitment to cybersecurity, online safety and privacy.
“Mercer University Information Technology is pleased to join with other higher education institutions and organizations worldwide to help educate our constituents about cybersecurity best practices,” said Denise Rogers, executive director of IT Client Support Services at Mercer. “Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing tips for protecting confidential data. For more information, visit our website at it.mercer.edu.”
Co-founded and led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NCSAM has grown exponentially since its inception, reaching consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, corporations, government entities, the military, educational institutions and young people nationally and internationally.
“The Champion program continues to be such a strong foundation for National Cyber Security Awareness Month’s ongoing and impactful success. In 2017, 1,050 organizations enlisted to support the month – a 21-percent increase from the previous year,” said Russ Schrader, executive director of NCSA. “We are thankful to our 2018 Champion organizations for their support and commitment to our shared responsibility of promoting cybersecurity, online safety awareness and the opportunity to protect our privacy.”
For more information about NCSAM 2018, the Champion program and how to participate in the month’s activities, visit staysafeonline.org/ncsam, and follow and use the official NCSAM hashtag #CyberAware on social media throughout the month.
About National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
NCSAM is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity in order to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing NCSAM in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/ncsam or dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month.
About NCSA
NCSA is the nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA’s primary partners are DHS and NCSA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; Aetna; AT&T Services Inc.; Bank of America; CDK Global, LLC; Cisco; Comcast Corporation; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Intel Corporation; Logical Operations; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; NXP Semiconductors; Raytheon; RSA, the Security Division of EMC; Salesforce; Symantec Corporation; TeleSign; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA’s core efforts include National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT™; and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org/about.
