KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The emergence of a variety of complex information systems has changed the world, and how the military operates within that technological environment.
Cyber security has come to the forefront in the last five to ten years and is a top priority of US Army Europe's leadership, with increased emphasis and awareness seen recently during October's National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
The USAREUR G6 Cyber Security Division has implemented a significant framework that not only keeps Soldiers and Civilians "cyber safe" in the workplace, they also aim to increase the awareness of cyber threats that challenge an individual's security at home.
"Everyone has a role to play in cyber security, whether it's protecting their families from identity theft, protecting their workplaces from cyber-attacks, or protecting their communities from cyber predators," said Joe Walker, Chief of the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Information Technology Directorate.
As October comes to a close, the national awareness campaign for cyber security has focused on several outreach efforts locally to include leadership development, individual awareness, and home/family security practices within the cyber world, explained Walker. Key takeaways have been incident response plans, continuity operation plans, safety measure brochures and awareness videos and websites.
The cyber security protection framework is associated with the technologies, processes and the practices that protects the networks of numerous organizations, he added.
"Our critical infrastructure systems, power grids, financial systems, and transportation systems all rely on some form of network and in some cases the Internet," Walker explained. "This increased connectivity brings many conveniences and advantages; however, it also creates increased threats and risks to our security posture."
Unauthorized individuals mining for data are relentless in their efforts to discover information. The issue of cyber threats affects everyone and it is, therefore, the responsibility of every individual to make sure they understand the issues and more importantly the security risks, Walker emphasized.
"Steps taken to avoid the access of cyber threats should include using strong passwords, deleting unused apps, keeping systems optimized with updates, limiting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings in public, and talking about cyber security with friends and family," Walker advised.
Additionally, he noted, most people are not aware of the kind of information they share online. However, it's important to make sure that the information shared is limited and no personal details are shared on the online platforms, to include personally identifiable information (PII) such as birthdate, place of birth, social security number, mother's maiden name, or medical, educational, financial, and employment information. Sharing information with a large number of people gives them a way to access your details quickly, and this can also contribute to hacking and identity theft.
"Further, cyber security is there to enhance the safety of our lives, and it is important to understand that the daily gadgets we use such as the laptops, smartphones and tablets, are all vulnerable to cyber threats," he said. "However, when using these devices, always think about the impact that these gadgets may have with your online security--always think before doing anything online."
As cyber threats are on an ever-increasing frequency, scale and sophistication, it is up to every service member, family member and civilian to enhance their cyber security practices, both personally and professionally. From online banking and social networking to use of military systems and applications on the job, everyone is a target. To increase cyber awareness and help strengthen the cyber security network, visit https://intranet.eur.army.mil/hq/iassure/SitePages/Home.aspx.
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