Is your credit union cyber secure?

by Kay Sikes, Credit Union Resources, Inc.

Halloween. Columbus Day. National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). October is a busy month! Each October, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance join forces to educate businesses, consumers and students on how to stay safe and secure online.

This year, as NCSAM turns 15, the campaign goal is to increase awareness of the shared responsibility we have in securing digital assets. Credit union employees often remind members how to protect their accounts. But, who reminds the employees to be just as careful with their online activities and digital duties? After all, anyone at any level is susceptible to scams, phishing attempts and fraud.

Let’s think about NCSAM as a four-week refresher course in cyber security, and start with the basics.

What is Cyber Security?
The U.S Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology defines cyber security as the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction in order to provide confidentiality, integrity and availability.

 

continue reading »