Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility in which all Virginians have a role to play.
We want to empower you with the awareness and tools you need to protect your part of cyberspace. This includes information on implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees.
This is also where you can find video projects produced by our internal team for Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a fun twist on cybersecurity. Our 2024 campaign showcased how cybersecurity isn't scary.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Each year, VITA recognizes Cybersecurity Awareness Month with cyber tips and information to keep Virginian's secure.
In 2024, we created three short films which parody horror movie classics with a cybersecurity spin. Check out "Deception," "IT: The Phishing" and "Day of the Cyber Zombies" below. You can check out all our Cybersecurity Awareness Month videos from over the years in our YouTube playlist.
Deception," based on the movie Scream, highlights three rules to stay safe — always be suspicious, keep calm, and act fast if you've been hacked.
“IT: The Phishing,” based on the movie IT, follows an ordinary office worker who starts receiving urgent emails featuring classic signs of a phishing attack: prompts for immediate action, typos and suspicious email addresses.
In "Day of the Cyber Zombies," inspired by Shaun of the Dead, Shaun is oblivious to cyberthreats as he meanders through his workday. This is a reminder that cyberthreats are everywhere, even at the office. Lock your computer when you leave your desk and never plug in a used thumb drive.
Cyber Resources and Community Outreach
Cyber criminals do not discriminate; they target vulnerable computer systems regardless of whether they are part of a large corporation, a small business or belong to a home user. Check out these resources available all in one place for students, parents, educators and localities.
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS PROGRAM GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
In order to provide thousands of essential public services ranging from disaster assistance to social security to water and electricity, all levels of government must ensure their cyber infrastructure is safe, secure and resilient. Below, find resources and materials for state and local government officials and employees to get informed about cybersecurity.
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Cybersecurity grant program specifically for state, local and territorial (SLT) governments across the country. Please visit our Grant Programs page for more information.
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Visit the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) for cyber threat prevention, protection, response and recovery for the nation's state, local, territorial and tribal (SLTT) governments.
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Collaborate across the federal government to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity posture through DHS' Federal Network Resilience.
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Share information and best practices through the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Federal Agency Security Practices (FASP).
- In partnership with Fusion Center, VSP, VDEM and VITA: Report a Cyber Incident.
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS PROGRAM STUDENT RESOURCES
Regardless of how fast your fingers fly on a keyboard or cell phone, the best tool you have to help avoid risks online is your brain. Stop before you post, share or send: do you trust the site you're on? How would you feel if your information ends up somewhere you didn’t intend? Below are some resources and materials to help you learn about safe cyber behavior.
- Take a bite out of cybercrime with the National Crime Prevention Council and sign McGruff’s Internet Safety Pledge.
- Learn about online issues affecting kids, teens and tweens on NetSmartz, a program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
- Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your devices with tips and resources from the National Cyber Security Alliance.
- Check out the National Centers of Academic Excellence for information on higher education in information assurance programs to meet America's growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS PROGRAM PARENT RESOURCES
When your child wants to go over to a new friend’s house, you probably ask questions. Who else is going? Will the parents be home? We should be having the same discussion with our kids about their Internet use. Which websites are okay to visit? What kind of information is acceptable—and more importantly, what is not—to share online? Below, find resources and materials to help you start the discussion with your kids.
General Education Resources
- Learn how to avoid scams, protect your identity, and secure your computer with tips from the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) OnGuard Online.
- Get videos, presentations and other educational resources for educators and parents to discuss cybersecurity with kids and teens from NetSmartz, a program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
- Find tips and resources on how to become a good digital parent from the Family Online Safety Institute.
- Start an internet safety dialogue with ebooks, events, articles and more from ConnectSafely and iKeepSafe.
- Protect yourself and your family from online fraud with tips from Fraud.org, a project of the National Consumers League.
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS PROGRAM EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Which websites are okay to visit? What kind of information is acceptable—and more importantly, what is not—to share online? Below, find resources and materials to help you start the discussion with your students.
School Resources
- Request an Internet safety presentation for your school or community through Project iGuardian, an effort between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) directorate, NCMEC.
- Get videos, presentations and other educational resources for educators and parents to discuss cybersecurity with kids and teens from NetSmartz, a program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).