News Recap: National Cyber Security Awareness Month

National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) kicked off this month. With all eyes on cyber security, we’re spotlighting a few recent news stories we expect to be a key part of the conversation among those participating in NCSAM.

Cybersecurity and the 2016 Election
For the first time in history, cybersecurity has emerged as a major topic in the 2016 general election. In the first presidential debate, both candidates talked about cybersecurity, especially in regard to alleged recent state sponsored cyber attacks. Both candidates agreed that the US should have strong cybersecurity capabilities to combat such threats. We anticipate this topic will continue to be in the news as Election Day approaches.

IoT Security
The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow steadily, and organizations of all kinds are learning to adapt to the new technology ecosystem. However, security flaws in the IoT remain as a concern that has not been adequately addressed. As part of NCSAM, the Online Trust Alliance released a checklist of steps for ensuring the security of IoT devices. Just as for most online risk mitigation, consumers should regularly update privacy settings on home and wearable devices in order to remain secure. Additionally, users should create long and strong passwords for all of their devices.

Cyber Security Talent Gap
As we discussed a few weeks ago, the shortage in trained cybersecurity professionals is a problem. New reports show that the problem is continuing to grow. More than 209,000 U.S.-based cybersecurity jobs remained unfilled, a figure that is up 74 percent since 2011. Overall, the state of the cybersecurity skills shortage continues to pose a threat to the industry. However, more and more schools globally are establishing programs and scholarships that directly address the cybersecurity skills gap by sparking curiosity and inspiring younger generations to get involved in the field.

Stay up to date with all NCSAM news by following Stay Safe Online on Twitter and check out their resources for helpful tips and tricks around online security.