October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Each year, VITA recognizes Cybersecurity Awareness Month with cyber tips and information to keep Virginian's secure.
You can check out all our Cybersecurity Awareness Month videos from over the years in our YouTube playlist.
Our Collection of Cyber Resources
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.
For Localities
Cybersercurity 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.
For Students
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.
For Parents
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).