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Published:  October 20, 2021

PaCSON is pleased to welcome back its annual public awareness raising campaign – Cyber Smart Pacific - this campaign coincides with International Cyber Awareness month, and aims to encourage all to UPSIZE, UPGRADE, UPDATE and UPHOLD their cyber security practices.

This campaign is a collaborative effort through PaCSON, and is designed to help our colleagues, constituents and communities to improve their cyber security practices. The Cyber Smart Pacific campaign has been adapted from CERT NZ’s Cyber Smart Week, which was launched in 2017 and includes four key actions individuals can implement to better protect themselves. These include:

  • UPSIZE passwords
  • UPGRADE to Two-factor authentication
  • UPDATE apps & devices
  • UPHOLD your privacy

The occurrence of Ransomware incidents across the Pacific are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated. To complement the ‘UP’ theme for Cyber Smart Pacific 2021, PaCSON is promoting further awareness for the risk of ransomware attacks - check back soon for our first ever Ransomware guide. The promotion of simple and easy to implement strategies may help protect you against a future ransomware attack. Some tips to help prepare and prevent against an attack include:

  • Use a password manager
  • Turn on two-factor-authentication
  • Patch your devices
  • Update and backup you devices
  • Don’t click suspicious links in emails or online

More information about the Cyber Smart Pacific 2021 campaign and Ransomware can be found below:

https://pacson.org/cyber-smart-pacific/cyber-smart-pacific-2021

https://www.cert.govt.nz/business/guides/protecting-from-ransomware/

https://www.cyber.gov.au/ransomware

Check out the efforts to promote this campaign by PaCSON Members and our partners:

REPORT IT

If you, or a friend, family member or colleague experiences an online incident, report it to your local PaCSON Member. PaCSON is a Community of cyber security professionals from across the Pacific region who collaborate together to identify cyber security issues and support each other to find a resolution. By reporting, you are contributing to the lessons that can be shared with other Pacific countries and assist in raising awareness of cyber security.

PaCSON Member details can be found here: https://pacson.org/members

Special thanks to CERT NZ for their assistance with this campaign.