NCSAM Resource Kit

Last reviewed: July 2016

2016 Campus Events

• Baylor University
• Bellevue University
• Boise State University
• Brock University
• Cal Poly Pomona University
• Elon University
• Emporia State University
• Frostburg State University
• Harper College
• Kennesaw State University
• Lehigh University
• Marshall University
• North Central College
• Northeastern University
• Pinellas Technical College
• Roosevelt University
• Saint Louis University
• Swarthmore College
• The University of Findlay
• University of Central Florida
• University of Phoenix
• University of San Diego
• University of Toledo
• University of Virginia
• Utica College
• Valparaiso University
• Widener University

What is Cyber Security Awareness?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines awareness as "The quality or state of being aware; consciousness." Aware is defined as "Informed; cognizant; conscious; sensible."

The purpose of cyber security awareness presentations is simply to focus attention on cyber security. Awareness presentations are intended to allow individuals to recognize information technology security concerns and respond accordingly.

• The learner is the recipient of information
• The information reaches broad audiences
• Attractive packaging techniques are used

We can characterize a user's cyber security awareness level by describing it as the actions a user takes in a given security situation. Do they know about any policies governing that activity? Do they follow the policy? What happens when they are confronted by a new situation that is not addressed by the policy?

Why is Cyber Security Awareness Important?

To protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in today's highly networked systems environment requires that all individuals:

• Understand their roles and responsibilities related to the organizational mission
• Understand the organization's information technology security policy, procedures, and practices
• Have at least adequate knowledge of the various management, operational, and technical controls required and available to protect the IT resources for which they are responsible

Cyber security awareness programs impress upon users the importance of cyber security and the adverse consequences of its failure. Awareness may reinforce knowledge already gained, but its goal is to produce security behaviors that are automatic. The goal is to make "thinking security" a natural reflex for everyone in the organization. Awareness activities can build in these reflexes both for the security professional and for the everyday user.

Critical Success Factors for Awareness Activities

• They are based on the organization's policies
• They have senior management support
• The focus is on people at all levels of the organization
• They are effectively planned:
  • Based on user's needs, roles, and interests
  • Identifies security problems in the organization that need addressing
• They use appealing materials and methods

Awareness programs usually use repetition to reinforce desired behaviors and attitudes about security.

What is National Cyber Security Awareness Month?

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is an annual effort to increase awareness and prevention of online security problems, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). The Higher Education Information Security Council (HEISC) promotes and participates in the annual campaign each October, joining forces with a range of organizations from the public and private sector to expand cybersecurity awareness on campuses across the country. The Higher Education Information Security Council is offering a range of programs and resources:

• NCSAM Resource Kit and NCSAM Sample Kit
• Information Security Awareness Video & Poster Contest for Students
• Cybersecurity Awareness Resource Library
• EDUCAUSE Security Awareness Resource Page

How Do We Plan for National Cyber Security Awareness Month?

The following NCSAM Planning Guide worksheet (PDF or Word) will help you to think about how your institution might go about implementing a plan to take advantage of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. You can also use the Annual Campus Security Awareness Campaign, which includes a printable 2016 calendar with monthly security awareness topics and 12 blog posts on the monthly topics with ready-made content for your campus communication channels. 

Indiana University offers a NCSAM Sample Kit with creative materials based on a 1950's horror theme, and outlines plans for their use that you can adapt to your institution's needs quickly. With a bit of a printing budget (or your own high quality printer) and some coordination, you can pick and choose which materials will best help you to increase your community's security awareness. Some of the materials are even provided in Spanish! These materials were created and used at Indiana University for National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2005. Indiana University grants permission for non-profit educational use, as long as the credit line and the copyright statement remain on the materials.

Cal Poly Pomona's 2007 presentation describes the development of their Cyber Security Fair in great detail. Tips for starting your own cyber security fair are offered on such topics as determining the target audience, structuring the event, developing a support network, selecting presentation topics & speakers, as well as the associated costs.

The winning posters and videos from previous Information Security Awareness Video & Poster Contests are available for use in campus security awareness campaigns during student orientation, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Data Privacy Day, and throughout the year. Note: Videos are also available to view on the HEISC YouTube Channel. Posters can be found on the HEISC Facebook page or Pinterest page.

If your group or institution would be interested in a presentation from an information security or privacy expert, please see our Speakers Bureau. You could also use your LinkedIn connections to invite a local, regional, or national speaker to a campus event.

Note: Data Privacy Day occurs each year on January 28. Think about how you might use NCSAM resources to promote this international celebration on your campus, too.

Resources

• "Building an Information Technology Security Awareness and Training Program," National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-50, Oct. 14, 2003
• "Developing Security Education and Awareness Programs" by Shirley Payne
• DHS Stop.Think.Connect. campaign and the Stop.Think.Connect. Resource Guide
• ICANN Security Awareness Resource Locator and Security Terminology blog
• Indiana University National Cyber Security Awareness Month Campaigns and Downloadable Material
• MS-ISAC (Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center) 2015 National Cyber Security Awareness Month Toolkit
• NCSA Resources
• NCSAM Planning Guide worksheet (PDF or Word)
• OnGuard Online
• Presidential Proclamation: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2015
• SANS Securing The Human NCSAM resources

State and Regional Efforts

• MS-ISAC list of State and Local Government Proclamations
• NASCIO's Cybersecurity Awareness Website

International Efforts

• Australia: Stay Smart Online is the Australian Government's online safety and security website.
• Canada: Get Cyber Safe is Canada's national public awareness campaign about cyber security and online safety.
• Europe: European Cyber Security Month is an EU advocacy campaign that takes place in October. 
• South Africa: The South African Cyber Security Academic Alliance includes academic research groups from several institutions.

Questions or comments? Contact us.

Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).