Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more common. Celebrating its nineteenth year, the campaign has grown globally since its inception, reaching consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations, and families in over 75 countries and territories.

The Navy is adopting the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme of “See Yourself in Cyber,” demonstrating that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people. Information and resources will be provided to help educate partners and the public, ensuring all individuals and organizations make smart decisions whether on the job, at home or at school – now and in the future.

“Any individual logging on to a Navy information system immediately becomes a cyber warrior,” said Rear Adm. Tracy Hines, Director of the Navy’s Enterprise Networks and Cybersecurity Division. “A single user can impact our global force, and vigilance by everyone will make the difference between continued mission success or the failure to meet the tasking of our nation.”

Every day across the Department of Defense information network there are 48 million e-mails processed, 174.8 billion cybersecurity events, 420 million marketing and phishing attacks, and 1.5 billion malicious cyber attacks blocked.

The Navy is increasingly reliant on technology and cyberspace to conduct its missions and protect the United States. Unlike traditional combat, a cyber attack has the ability to reach multiple areas of destruction in very little time due to the nature of communications systems. A successful cyber intrusion of the Navy’s network can jeopardize systems and data that affect nearly every aspect of the Navy’s mission.

A larger cyber footprint, coupled with technological advances among adversaries, has increased the Navy’s risk for potential cyber intrusions. All those who access Navy information systems need to understand that their decisions in the digital environment are either an asset or a threat to protecting the Navy’s networks, and also a threat to them and their families outside the work environment.

“In the spirit of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Get Real Get Better campaign, it’s important to acknowledge what our cybersecurity weaknesses are so we can improve,” said Rear Adm. Hines. “Throughout this month we will be sharing cybersecurity best practices, and I invite you to challenge yourself, your colleagues, and your command to take a collective responsibility in protecting the Navy’s cyber infrastructure.”

For more information on the Navy’s Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, visit doncio.navy.mil and search “Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”