Knowbe4 Supports FBI Tips Against RNC Cybercrime
Free Convention Security Tips are Designed to Protect RNC Attendees From Cyber
Attacks When Using Public Kiosks and Wi-Fi during Republican National Convention
CLEARWATER, Fla., August 23, 2012 – With the Republican National Convention quickly approaching, security in the Tampa Bay area is higher than ever, but KnowBe4, a security awareness training firm, is particularly concerned about cybercrime security. $50 million dollars is being spent in security for the Republican National Convention, but it is unknown what the percentage is that is allotted to cyber security.
Stu Sjouwerman, (pronounced “shower-man”) Founder and CEO of KnowBe4, has made it his mission to stay up-to-date with the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by the latest generation of cybercriminals, in order to educate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on how to recognize and avoid cyber-attacks. He is stressing how important the FBI cybercrime safety measures are during the convention.
FBI tips on protecting yourself from cybercrime (1)
1.Keep Your Operating System Up to Date:
-Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes.
-Be sure to install any updates before you leave to ensure your computer has the latest protection
2.Be Careful What You Download and Open
-Carelessly downloading and opening e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software.
-Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.
The second FBI tip is what KnowBe4.com helps businesses accomplish on a human level, by running phishing security tests for small and medium sized businesses in order to track how many employees click on links in malicious emails that they may think are safe.
Cyber security’s secret weapon:
In 2011, HP published cybercrime statistics revealing that the cost of cyber attacks had risen more than 50% since 2010 (2). At the same time IT security expert Stu Sjouwerman cautioned that number was likely to grow.
With that knowledge, KnowBe4 developed its own unique weapon that other security awareness training companies do not have: Kevin Mitnick. Once listed as the world’s “most wanted” hacker by the FBI, Mitnick now applies his 30-plus year expertise to help organizations defend against network security breaches. Mitnick and Sjouwerman collaborated to develop a next-generation Security Awareness Training product.
Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training specializes in making sure employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear-phishing, malware and social engineering, and are able to apply this knowledge in their day-to-day job.
Protection during the Republican National Convention:
Especially during the RNC, when many delegates and journalists are on computers and in public places, it is vital to be aware of the ramifications of cyber attacks.
Organized efforts from hactivist groups such as Anonymous, which have coordinated online attacks against businesses and government agencies in the past, are apparently a real threat. Anonymous has already announced its intent to protest against the RNC and promote its ‘Operation Cannabis’ campaign during the convention. (3)
“Those who disagree with Republican politics may use cyber attacks to disrupt the event or make a public statement”, Sjouwerman warned. “This can range from website takedowns or takeovers, to hacking into confidential databases and publishing the data.”
More cyber safety tips from KnowBe4:
More of KnowBe4’s tips that align with the FBI can be found on CBS.com: Top hacker details how to avoid cybercrime.
For more information on how KnowBe4 and Kevin Mitnick can protect businesses against cybercrime at any time, visit http://www.knowbe4.com/products/kevin-mitnick-security-awareness-training/.
About Stu Sjouwerman and KnowBe4
Stu Sjouwerman is the founder and CEO of KnowBe4, LLC, which provides web-based
Security Awareness Training to small and medium-sized enterprises. A data
security expert with more than 30 years in the IT industry, Sjouwerman was the
co-founder of Inc. 500 company Sunbelt Software, an award-winning anti-malware
software company that he and his partner sold to GFI Software in 2010. Realizing
that the human element of security was being seriously neglected, Sjouwerman
decided to help entrepreneurs tackle cybercrime tactics through advanced Security
Awareness Training. He and his colleagues work with companies in many different
industries, including highly regulated fields such as healthcare, finance and
insurance. Sjouwerman is the author of four books; his latest is Cyberheist: The
Biggest Financial Threat Facing American Businesses Since the Meltdown of 2008.
(1)2012 FBI. “How to Protect Your Computer”. Accessed August 17, 2012.
http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/computer_protect
(2)“HP Research Reveals 56 Percent Rise in Cost of Cybercrime”; published on HP.com, August 2, 2011. http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2011/110802xa.html
(3)Anonymous Pushes Pot Legalization with ‘Operation Cannabis’ MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47090083/ns/technology_and_science-security/t/anonymous-pushes-pot-legalization-operation-cannabis/#.UDOzy6O8gbs
Media Inquires:
Karla Jo Helms
CEO
JoTo PR
Phone: 888-202-4614
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