Libraries

How you can support NCSAM

Libraries have become one of the most Internet-accessible locations in many communities. As a librarian, you are a respected authority on how to help your community stay safe and secure online. 

A great time to start sharing this information with community members is during National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), held each October. Whether you are able to show your support for just one day or every day this October, consider the following ways you can make a difference to raise cybersecurity awareness.

What you can do…

…in one minute:

• Display the NCSAM banner on your library’s website. Download NCSAM Web banners. You can link to the NCSAM “About” page to provide more info. 

• Promote NCSAM on social networks. Find social media profile icons and daily NCSAM messages to share on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter here.

• Display copies of the tip sheet, Protecting Privacy While Using Public Computers & Wi-Fi near your computing areas. The American Library Association and the global cybersecurity education campaign, STOP. THINK. CONNECT., co-created this tip sheet. 

…in one hour:

• Have your library become an NCSAM Champion to show your support. It’s free and simple to sign up.

• Hold a brown bag lunch with staff to review your computer security practices and how you assist users of your public computers. For talking points, review the tip sheet, Protecting Privacy While Using Public Computers & Wi-Fi. 

…in one day:

• Review your library collection to be sure you have current books about online safety for kids and parents. Create a special display of these books to recognize NCSAM.

…all month long:

• Host a series of educational presentations on cybersecurity topics such keeping kids safe online, online safety for seniors, and careers in cybersecurity. For youth-focused sessions consider using C-SAVE, a curriculum provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance to help volunteers teach young people cybersecurity, cybersafety and cyberethics.

…all year round:

• Display STOP. THINK. CONNECT. tips and posters near computers and work areas.

• Review the library’s computer security policies and make sure they are up to date. Make sure all software is current and that computers are turned off when the library is closed.