Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Michele Hall, Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Email: mhall@boonecountymo.org


Boone County Recognizes October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October 1, 2013

For the past ten years, October has served as National Cyber Security Awareness Month as the result of a cooperative effort between the Department of Homeland Security, the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. As the internet becomes increasingly prominent in all areas of life, so do the threat of malicious cyber attacks and significant financial and privacy losses due to identify theft and fraud. It is a shared responsibility of all users to maintain the security of cyberspace such that it may continue to be a safe source of communication, education, business and entertainment.

Boone County encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn more about protecting internet-capable devices and take small, easy steps to increase security on both personal and business devices. Some suggestions to ensure devices are secure include setting devices to automatically install recommended operating system updates and patches and using security software. More suggestions have been provided by the Boone County Information Technology Department and can be found by clicking the “10th Anniversary National Cyber Security Awareness Month” icon on the Boone County homepage, www.ShowMeBoone.com.

The protection of information and privacy is an essential aspect of cyber security. Equally important, though, is the ability to protect children and other vulnerable populations from exploitation and other potentially harmful exposures. The Boone County Sheriff's Department Cyber Crimes Task Force, FBI and Microsoft are just a few authorities on the subject offering information on their websites. A list of websites containing helpful information about cyber security and internet safety has been compiled by Boone County Information Technology and is available via the National Cyber Security Awareness Month link on the County's homepage.

Boone County recognizes the importance of cyber security to individuals, businesses, organizations and essential service providers in our community. Boone County Government will begin encouraging this awareness from within by offering Security Fundamentals educational sessions to all Boone County employees. Additionally, the Boone County Commission will support this awareness campaign through a proclamation to be read at 1:30PM on Thursday, October 3, 2013 during the biweekly Commission meeting.



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