Wednesday, October 8, 2014
What is it?
Army Cyber Security Awareness Month provides leaders the opportunity to better assess and review their organizational cybersecurity awareness, security practices and training that will help them and their people improve the overall Army security posture. Army leaders are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their information systems are protected, and that their people are aware, trained and compliant with policies and procedures. Beyond understanding and awareness of current cyber threats and their impact on the Army, leaders must continually advance and promote vigilant security practices within their organizations to safeguard the integrity of Army networks, systems and information, and protect personal identities.
Why is this important to the Army?
Cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding all Army operations and everyday business functions. Leaders are vital in reinforcing the responsibility of vigilant security practices among their people to ensure the protection and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Army information and systems. Leaders must continually promote cybersecurity awareness and training to ensure that all users fully understand their individual and collective responsibilities for protecting Army networks, information and data while enabling warfighting and business operations.
What has the Army done?
The Army Cybersecurity Awareness Month builds on last year’s Army initiatives to increase cybersecurity awareness and improve training. In addition to increasing awareness and reinforcing security policies, in 2013, leaders conducted Information Assurance self-assessments to determine their organizational security posture. From those findings, they developed Plans of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) to address deficiencies in policy compliance and security practices. As part of the continuing effort, the Army provides leader updates on cyber threats, vulnerabilities and operational risks, and the associated responsibilities for leaders and subordinates. The information updates reinforce the need to educate people on proper security procedures and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
What does the Army have planned for the future?
Army leaders are responsible for organizational cybersecurity programs that assess and manage risk through increased training, situational awareness and compliance with security policies and procedures. At the conclusion of the Army Cybersecurity Awareness Month leaders will complete a survey for the month-long activities. The Army plans to continue cybersecurity awareness throughout fiscal year 2015, with monthly information sheets designed to reinforce messages for continued Army awareness.
Resources:
The annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month each October is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. For more information, visit DHS Stop.Think.Connect. Get Informed.
Subscribe to STAND-TO! to learn about the U.S. Army initiatives.