Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Computer Security Day. While banks and public institutions probably won’t close in its honor, November 30 will mark the 18th annual observance of Computer Security Day (CSD).
Most computer users don’t give much daily thought to the issue of computer security, and that’s as it should be. Once the trouble and expense of the initial installation is over, we don’t give much deep thought to the locks on our homes, either – we simply insert the key, and use the lock. We provide maintenance and upgrades as required, and the locks protect our belongings from all but the most determined intruders.
Computer Security Day is all about encouraging businesses and individuals to take the necessary steps to protect their computer belongings. To quote Norwich University business professor Mich Kabay, computer technicians such as myself are “stuck trying to keep security interesting or at least tolerable for the people we are trying to protect.” To this end, I encourage you, your boss, your friends and coworkers to visit the official CSD website at www.computersecurityday.org.
At the CSD website, you’ll find materials, activities and free posters to help you increase your computer security and turn the event into useful fun. You can even find free CSD greeting e-cards at greeting card websites such as www.123greetings.com.
Started in 1988 by the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Security, Audit, and Control, CSD is sponsored by the Association of Computing Machinery, IBM and security giant Symantec, and has over 1,000 organizations in over 50 countries officially participating.
CSD.org states that the 2005 theme for CSD is “Responsibility,” promoting the idea that “each organization and each individual is responsible for protecting information assets and resources. Each person within an organization plays an important role in regards to protection.” If you’ve read my columns for any length of time, you know that these are concepts I strongly endorse.
Six areas of concern are stressed, including viruses, PC security, firewalls, using strong passwords, social engineering (the “art” of conning people into divulging sensitive information) and physical security of information resources and assets. I have discussed these issues in depth in my previous columns. If you’ve forgotten about or missed these columns, simply go to the Norman Transcript’s website, search the archives for “Dave Moore,” and you’ll find most of my previous columns.
I also recommend that you visit www2.norwich.edu/mkabay/cyberwatch, and download the free 82-page booklet by Business Professor and CSD supporter Mich Kabay titled, “Cyber-Safety for Everyone: from Kids to Elders.” In this booklet, Professor Kabay covers important computer and Internet-related issues including pedophiles, online dating and cybersex, pornography, hoaxes and threats, viruses, spam, scams, stolen software, videos and music, plagiarism, criminal hackers and hacktivists, online auctions, online gambling, games, Internet addiction, identity theft and more.
Happy Computer Security Day!