Skip to main content

Woburn, MA – September 28, 2018 – For the second consecutive year, Kaspersky Lab North America has become an official Champion of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Observed every October, the 15th annual NCSAM serves as a collaborative effort among businesses, governments, universities, nonprofit organizations and individuals to promote cybersecurity education, online safety and privacy. 

Consumers have become increasingly reliant on digital devices to store personal information, and the pervasive threat of losing personal data to a cyberattack is leading to chronic cyber-stress. This year, Kaspersky Lab found that 81 percent of Americans admit to feeling stressed by the news of data breaches, and nearly half (46%) of consumers aged 16 to 24 said they often find it stressful to manage the number of passwords they have. 

As a NCSAM Champion, Kaspersky Lab joins more than 600 organizations in educating consumers on the latest digital threats and what steps they can take to stay safe in their digital lives, leading to increased security as well as reduced cyber-stress.

“Raising awareness is critical to ensure people remain protected against the latest cyber threats, and as advocates for continued education, we are actively taking part as a Champion of this collaborative effort for the second year in a row,” said Brian Anderson, vice president of consumer sales, Kaspersky Lab North America. “Cybersecurity should serve as a source of empowerment rather than frustration, and through efforts like NCSAM, consumers can understand how to utilize technology safely – instead of allowing it to cause cyber-stress.”

Kaspersky Lab recommends the following cybersecurity best practices not just during NCSAM, but throughout the year to remain protected against online threats: 

  • Use robust security software, such as Kaspersky Security Cloud, Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Internet Security to protect all of your devices; 
  • Ensure all applications and programs are kept up-to-date with the latest software patches;
  • Routinely back up important digital assets;
  • Create strong passwords, picking different ones for each new site and account;
  • When available, activate two-factor authentication to increase the security of your accounts;
  • Regularly take inventory of the applications that have permission to access data on your device or social networks, and delete apps or accounts that you no longer use.

“The Champion program continues to be such a strong foundation for National Cyber Security Awareness Month’s ongoing and impactful success. In 2017, 1,050 organizations enlisted to support the month – a 21-percent increase from the previous year,” said Russ Schrader, executive director, National Cyber Security Alliance. “We are thankful to our 2018 Champion organizations for their support and commitment to our shared responsibility of promoting cybersecurity, online safety awareness and the opportunity to protect our privacy.”

For more information about NCSAM and its Champion program, please visit staysafeonline.org/ncsam. You can also follow and use the official NCSAM hashtag #CyberAware on social media throughout the month.

About National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. Now in its 15th year, NCSAM is co-led by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, the nation’s leading nonprofit public-private partnership promoting the safe and secure use of the internet and digital privacy. Recognized annually in October, NCSAM involves the participation of a multitude of industry leaders ‒ mobilizing individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, academia, multinational corporations and governments. Encouraging digital citizens around the globe to STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, NCSAM is harnessing the collective impact of its programs and resources to increase awareness about today’s ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Visit the NCSAM media room: staysafeonline.org/about-us/news/media-room/.

About the National Cyber Security Alliance
NCSA is the nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA’s primary partners are DHS and NCSA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AT&T Services Inc.; Bank of America; CDK Global, LLC; CertNexus; Cisco; Cofense; Comcast Corporation; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Intel Corporation; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; NXP Semiconductors; Raytheon; Salesforce; Symantec Corporation; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA’s core efforts include National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from DHS; and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/.

About STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™
STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the global cybersecurity education and awareness campaign. The campaign was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, nonprofits and government organizations with leadership provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved at stopthinkconnect.org.

About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is a global cybersecurity company, which has been operating in the market for over 20 years. Kaspersky Lab’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into next generation security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky Lab technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

Media Contact
Jessica Bettencourt
781.503.7851
Jessica.Bettencourt@kaspersky.com

Kaspersky Lab North America Champions National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2018

With Americans feeling increased cyber-stress, Kaspersky Lab pledges to raise awareness and continued education as a NCSAM Champion
Kaspersky Logo