Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here!  Every October, we highlight the importance of cybersecurity, good cyber hygiene, and their importance to the Air Force and Space Force. 

The Department of Air Force overall theme for this year is: 

Cybersecurity – Every Airman, Every Guardian – Mission Possible!  

Follow the hashtags #MissionPossible #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth and #BeCyberSmart on your favorite social media platforms to find valuable information.

Our weekly emphasis areas are:

Week 1 (October 2):  Social Media, Privacy, and Digital Force Protection

Week 2 (October 9):  Multi-Factor Authentication and Phishing: keys to success  

Week 3 (October 16):  Information Protection:  right tools, right network

Week 4 (October 23):  Disruptive technologies: cybersecurity and safe usage

Presidential Proclamation on Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023:

"Digital technologies today touch nearly every aspect of American life — from our classrooms and communities, to our economy and national security.  That is why — this Cybersecurity Awareness Month — my Administration renews our commitment to securing cyberspace and seizing the unlimited potential of our digital future."

Read the full proclamation here.

Week Four is about the impact of emerging and disruptive technologies on cybersecurity issues.

At last month's Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, CMSAF Bass highlighted the challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence technologies, stating in part:

 "The fact is Airmen use AI right now. Your children use AI right now. Our adversaries are using AI right now. Our role is in the ethical and responsible development of AI. It cannot be understated. Instead of avoiding it, we probably better figure out how to educate our force about the difference between using these platforms and being used by them. We better figure out how to do this fast because our adversaries are already there. Right now, there are armies of bots, swarms of trolls, legions of sock puppets strategically manipulating the information that we see to achieve their own objectives. This is unrestricted warfare and it comes with minimal to no physical force."

Read CMSAF Bass' full remarks here:  https://www.airandspaceforces.com/watch-read-cmsaf-bass-on-airmen-of-the-future/

Here are some resources you can use:

https://www.16af.af.mil/Newsroom/Article/3182511/empowering-airmen-on-cybersecurity 

Week Three is about Information Protection and the proper use of network and other protection capabilities. 

Here are some resources you can use:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/899335/2023-cybersecurity-awareness-month

Week Two is about Multifactor Authentication (it's more than a password!) and how to detect phishing, vishing, and smishing attacks.   

Here are some resources you can use:

https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/passwords-securing-accounts/

Password Managers - National Cybersecurity Alliance (staysafeonline.org)

https://staysafeonline.org/resources/multi-factor-authentication/

Phishing - National Cybersecurity Alliance (staysafeonline.org)

Spotting a Vaccine Phishing Scam: Can You Find the Red Flags? - National Cybersecurity Alliance (staysafeonline.org)

Week One is about social media, privacy and digital force protection. Here are some resources you can use:

Check your privacy settings on multiple types of sites (banking, e-commerce, social media, etc.):

Manage Your Privacy Settings - National Cybersecurity Alliance (staysafeonline.org)

Social media site-specific protection information, including privacy settings, passwords, etc.:

Social Media - National Cybersecurity Alliance (staysafeonline.org)

Overview of data privacy issues:

https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/why-data-privacy-is-necessary-in-todays-world/

Guarding against romance scams – DoD personnel have been specifically targeted in this area:

https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/romance-scams/

Digital Force Protection video:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/834942/digital-force-protection-five-ways-protect-yourself-online-attacks

USDA Cybersecurity Virtual Industry Expo & Conference, October 3-4

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting the virtual Cybersecurity Expo on Tuesday, October 3rd and Wednesday, October 4th from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET.  As you know, the Expo is open at no cost to federal employees and contractors (.gov), military personnel (.mil), as well as students and academic institutions (.edu).   Register now by clicking here.  

In addition to USDA plenary speakers, we are excited to announce this year’s Expo invited keynote speakers and panelists include Cybersecurity Division leadership from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a keynote panel featuring participants from Office of the National Cyber Director, Office of Personnel Management, and Veteran Affairs, and Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director National Cybersecurity Alliance.  Additionally, Google, Microsoft and other corporate partners will present break-out and other sessions on Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Operations, EO 14028, development of the 21st Century Cyber Workforce and general cybersecurity awareness. Speakers will also provide an overview of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES) developed by the White House Office of the National Cyber Director in collaboration with federal agencies calling for a whole of nation approach to educating and training Americans for opportunities in the cyber workforce.