National Webcast Initiative

Keeping Your Broadband Internet Connection Secure

~ How to Prevent “Always-On” from Meaning “Always-Vulnerable!” ~

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

 


The National Webcast Initiative series was held on August 22nd with a featured presentation on Keeping Your Broadband Internet Connection Secure.  Over 700 individuals representing 46 states, 3 countries and the Virgin Islands registered for this spectacular event.   Opening remarks were provided by Mr. William Pelgrin, Chair of the MS-ISAC, followed by the webcast presenters, Mr. Marcus J. Ranum , Chief Security Officer, Tenable Security Inc. and Mr. Lance Spitzner , President, HoneyTech Inc.

Recent estimates indicate that the United States has more than 60 million broadband users.  Many are individual home users using the Internet for a variety of reasons including accessing e-mail, shopping, banking, taking online courses, and more.   The Internet has become an integral part of life for many of us. 

High-speed connection is becoming more prevalent with this increased Internet usage.  Many individual home users are the most highly targeted sector for cyber attacks, as they are generally less likely to have well-established security measures and practices in place.  As such, they are much more vulnerable to identify theft, fraud or other cyber incidents.

The webcast provided useful guidance to the non-technical user on the necessary steps to protect their “always-on” high-speed connection.  The following topics were discussed:

  • What does Broadband mean?
  • What are the computer security risks associated with broadband access?
  • Why must home users be concerned about computer security?
  • What can users do today to protect themselves and their computer?

Webcast Presentation

Webcast Related Material:
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The Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center have partnered to establish the National Webcast Initiative to develop a series of national webcasts which examine critical and timely cyber security issues. Embracing the concept that security is everyone’s responsibility, these webcasts are available to a broad audience to help raise awareness and knowledge levels. A number of vendors have offered their services at no cost to government, to help develop and deliver the webcasts.

The National Webcast Initiative is also coordinated by the New York State Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination(New Window) and the New York State Forum(New Window) .

If you have any questions, please contact 518/473-2227 or email to isac@cscic.state.ny.us .