National Cyber Security Awareness Month — October 2005

Working in collaboration with the federal government and industry partners, the State of Arizona is co-sponsoring National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October 2005. This initiative’s mission is to raise awareness of cyber security so that people within Arizona can improve their cyber security preparedness. The National Cyber Security Awareness Month features fun, educational programs, events and initiatives throughout the month targeting home users, small businesses, education audiences (K-12 and higher education), and child safety online.

To find out more information on what is planned for National Cyber Security Awareness Month please visit the Multi-State Information Sharing Analysis Center's website at www.cscic.state.ny.us/msisac/ncsa/oct05/index.htm, and visit the Department of Administration’s web site on IT Security Awareness Program at http://www.security.state.az.us/Security-Awareness/securityawareness-home-page.htm.

ASU’s Computer Security Awareness Week, October 31 – November 4 2005, will host a variety of events and activities. Find out how to protect your computer, your data, and your identity at http://www.asu.edu/security/aware/index.html.

For additional information on state specific IT security standards please go to GITA’s IT Security Policies, Standards and Practices website at http://www.azgita.gov/sispo/.

With the support of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, the state’s Information Technology Security Advisory Committee (ITSAC) has crafted eight Mission Critical Cybersecurity Enhancements (MCCE) recommendations to address over the next year to proactively improve overall cyber security preparedness.

1. Every Computer to employ Tiered Protection from Malicious Code

• Employing Anti-Virus Software and Anti-Spyware Software

• Use of Firewalls to prevent Unauthorized Access

2. All State Agencies to create ‘Appropriate Computer Use’ Statements to be reviewed and signed by its employees each year

3. All State Agencies to evaluate IT Assets, create a Patch Management Protocol, and follow this Protocol religiously

4. All State Agencies to require employees to use Strong Passwords, secure these Passwords, and to change them regularly

5. All State Agencies to identify all Wireless access points, ensure secure Wireless access, and remove all unapproved devices

6. All State Agencies to create and adhere to a Centralized Data Sanitation Protocol to render data unrecoverable before it leaves State control

7. All State agencies to Implement expanded Security Incident Response and Reporting

8. All state agencies to enhance and expand IT Security Education and Training capabilities

For additional information of statewide IT (Cyber) Security Awareness efforts and directions contact Jim Ryan, Homeland Security Technology Manager at jryan@azgita.gov.

Governor Napolitano’s Proclamation on Cyber Security Month

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