Naval District Washington (NDW) is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in their Cybersecurity Awareness month campaign.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness month and as a partner in the DHS Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign, NDW is highlighting cybersecurity on its website, through social media and throughout its workspaces.

"We were very excited to find the campaign, as its audience is as broad as our NDW family," says Gianna Price Cybersecurity branch manager at NDW. "The campaign has resources targeted at office professionals, first responders, child care providers, retirees and many more."

"The reality is we are all at risk. By employing the cybersecurity practices we will share throughout the campaign, we put NDW in a better position to protect ourselves, our families, our communities and our command."

NDW's cybersecurity team suggests users be cautious about what they receive or read online, regularly update software, check privacy and security settings, and talk with others about the importance of internet safety.

"Given all the recent news on data breeches and hacking, this is a good time to focus on the persistent cyber threats and challenges facing the Navy," said Vice Admiral Jan E. Tighe, deputy chief of naval operations for Information Warfare. "It's important to focus on what each of us can do to keep our shipmates and operations secure. The cyber threat reaches beyond traditional information technology networks to systems that affect nearly every aspect of our Navy's missions, including operational technology (machinery controls, weapons, and navigation systems)."

Tighe stresses the impact a potential cyber-attack could have on the Navy and says it takes a combined effort to prevent one from being successful.

"A successful cyber-intrusion - anywhere in the Navy - increases the risk that adversaries can move to other targets and pose risks to our missions and people. Therefore, a mistake by one individual puts everyone and the mission at risk. Adhering to cybersecurity policies, directives, and best practices is commanders' business and requires an all hands approach to protect the Navy.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval District Washington, visit http://www.navy.mil/.