News Summary
Middle Tennessee is actively participating in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, promoting safe online practices. United Communications highlights critical cybersecurity services, including email security, web traffic protection, and router defense. The initiative aims to educate families and businesses on enhancing their cybersecurity measures with practical steps, reinforcing the importance of ongoing education and community engagement in fostering a safer online environment.
Middle Tennessee is currently observing National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) this October, an initiative aimed at increasing awareness about cybersecurity risks and promoting safe online practices among families and businesses. This effort is led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), supported by various public and private partners.
United Communications is actively participating in this campaign, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity for protecting personal information and small business operations in today’s digital age. The company is sharing practical steps that individuals can take immediately to enhance their cybersecurity at home and in business settings.
United Communications highlights three critical areas of its cybersecurity services: employee email security, web traffic protection, and customer router defense.
Key Cybersecurity Services Offered
- Employee Email Security: The service filters over 80,000 emails each month, successfully blocking around 6,400 emails that may contain harmful content, scams, or risky attachments.
- Web Traffic Protection: This service manages over 10 million web requests monthly and blocks more than 1,000 suspicious attempts to access harmful websites.
- Customer Router Defense: Calix routers provided by United Communications protect against nearly 30,000 online threats each month, including dangerous websites and viruses.
Implementation of effective cybersecurity measures begins with cultivating smart digital habits for both families and businesses. To promote personal cybersecurity, United Communications recommends the following:
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or unknown websites.
- Do not share personal information or passwords over the phone or via email.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
- Keep antivirus software updated, as older versions may leave systems vulnerable.
- Change the default names and passwords of home networks for improved security.
- Employ WPA3 encryption for wireless networks to secure online connections.
- Regularly monitor network security; United offers a UControl App with ProtectIQ as a monitoring tool.
For small businesses, United Communications provides the BizControl solution, which offers:
- Centralized 24/7 network management accessible via an intuitive app.
- Network segmentation to enhance security across various business functions.
- Enterprise-grade firewall and content controls to protect sensitive data.
- Real-time detection and mitigation of DDoS attacks to prevent service disruptions.
Easy Implementation of Home Cybersecurity
Home cybersecurity can be established easily with accessible tools and smart habits, requiring no advanced technical expertise. The United UControl app offers continuous protection, allowing parents to manage screen time and enhance online safety for their children.
United Communications caters to residential and business customers in Middle Tennessee, advocating for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. The importance of ongoing education and training is also emphasized, with a focus on the continual provision of cybersecurity awareness for employees and customers.
The company’s cybersecurity measures include the verification of employee identities and ongoing monitoring of system activities to detect unauthorized actions. Active collaboration with government agencies and law enforcement ensures that they stay updated regarding current cybersecurity threats.
Community Engagement and Future Safety
This month-long focus on cybersecurity aims to make October— and every month— a safer period for online activities in Middle Tennessee. United Communications encourages community participation by promoting online safety and sharing resources while inviting individuals and organizations to reach out for tailored security plans.
As the campaign progresses, it plays a pivotal role in elevating awareness and implementing strategies that help protect families and small businesses from the growing array of cybersecurity threats in the digital landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Williamson Source: Cybersecurity Month Guide
- Google Search: Cybersecurity Awareness Month
- WGNS Radio: Keeping Kids Safe Online
- Wikipedia: Cyber Security
- Route Fifty: Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cybersecurity
- DNJ: Cyber Attack on Rutherford County Schools
- Google News: Cyber attacks Tennessee
Author: HERE Nashville
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