Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CybersecurityManagementSecurity NewswireCybersecurity News

Lawmakers introduce American Cybersecurity Literacy Act

cybersecurity-data-protection freepik
June 28, 2021

Bipartisan House lawmakers introduced legislation to increase cybersecurity literacy and security awareness among the American public amid a spike in cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure. 

Specifically, the legislation would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish a cybersecurity literacy campaign to increase knowledge and awareness of cybersecurity risks among the American public, including best practices for preventing cyberattacks.

John Bambenek, Threat Intelligence Advisor at Netenrich, a San Jose, Calif.-based Resolution Intelligence provider, says, "Awareness is important and increasing the literacy of everyday users is crucial. That being said, the core problem is multi-billion dollar tech companies are creating technologies they foist on society (often as near-monopolies) and then outsource all the risks of the use of their technologies onto society at large, many of whom will never have the literacy or resources to protect themselves. A few billboards from the Ad Council isn’t going to fix this problem."

Representative Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) cite recent cyberattacks, such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, that have disrupted business and threatened national security. 

The campaign would identify the critical areas of an IT system that present cybersecurity risks and educate American people on how to prevent and mitigate such attacks by:

  • instructing American people on how to identify phishing emails; and secure websites;
  •  instructing American people on the need to change default passwords on hardware and software technology;
  • encouraging the use of cybersecurity tools, including multi-factor authentication; complex passwords; firewalls; and anti-virus software.  
  • identifying the devices that could pose possible cybersecurity risks, including: personal computers; smartphones; tablets; Wi-Fi routers; and smart home appliances:
  • encouraging Americans to: regularly review mobile application permissions; decline privilege requests from mobile applications that are unnecessary; download applications only from trusted vendors or sources; and connect internet of things or devices to a separate and dedicated network; and
  • identifying the potential cybersecurity risks of using publicly-available Wi-Fi networks and the methods a user may utilize to limit such risks; and
  • direct American people and businesses to federal resources to help mitigate cybersecurity risks

The question is, however, will this truly help organizations keep cyberattacks at bay, particularly those caused by employees? 

"Increased awareness certainly has its place on the consumer side of the cybercrime equation, but it isn’t clear how much that alone will move the needle with organizations faced with the threat of ransomware. All things being equal, behavior follows behavioral incentives – so from an organizational standpoint, if the knowledge of how to act is part of the equation, accountability for failure to act may very well be the other," says Tim Wade, Technical Director, CTO Team at Vectra, a San Jose, Calif.-based AI cybersecurity company.

Joseph Carson, chief security scientist and Advisory CISO at ThycoticCentrify, a Washington D.C.-based provider of cloud identity security solutions, explains that one of the biggest mistakes security professionals can make is to assume that other personnel and staff have the same understanding for good cyber hygiene as they do. "By assuming that everybody is a possible walking vulnerability, security teams can better implement proactive measures and educational programs to keep staff, especially those with privileged access credentials, aware of various security risks that can happen at any time."

Password hygiene must be an integral part of employee training and cyber awareness training, Carson adds. "The average worker isn’t trained in cyber hygiene and best practices, making them easy prey for cybercriminals looking to access an organization's networks quickly and easily via a phishing attack or social engineering. By ensuring that employees at every level are given sufficient training about how to identify malware-laced emails and other basic attempts at credential theft can be a major step to help lessen the success rate of an attack or at least raise an alert. By normalizing training within the culture of the workplace, organizations can help maintain vigilance for these practices in the long term."

KEYWORDS: cyber security information security public safety risk management

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Logical Security
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Red spiderweb

From Retail to Insurance, Scattered Spider Changes Targets

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Security newswire default

    Senators Introduce Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2017

    See More
  • data breach freepik

    Senators introduce cyber incident notification act

    See More
  • circle of light on dark screen

    Senators introduce cybersecurity insurance act for small businesses

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing