MS-ISAC Toolkit

Protecting against cyber threats is a critical challenge for organizations of all sizes in both the public and private sectors. These threats serve as a constant reminder for the need to promote cybersecurity awareness across the United States. Now in its 21st year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) continues to build momentum and impact public understanding of safe online practices, with the overarching theme for 2024: Secure Our World.

It's easy to stay safe online

Citizens, businesses, government, and schools all play a vital role to improve our Nation’s collective cybersecurity preparedness. As recent events have demonstrated, we live, work, and play in an even more connected world. Our increased reliance on a remote environment reminds us that being more secure online is a shared responsibility. Creating a safer cyber environment requires engagement from the entire American community.

Each October, the MS-ISAC serves as a co-host with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance in promoting CAM. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is an increasingly safe, more resilient, and persistent source of opportunity and growth for years to come.

Build a Public Awareness Campaign for Your Community

There are endless no-cost resources available to state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments that will aid in creating your own public awareness campaign. The MS-ISAC Toolkit presents a suite of resources below to help guide your organization on ways to increase the understanding of cyber threats and empower individuals in your community to be safer and more secure online.

MS-ISAC Toolkit Resources

Make it Official

All United States governors are being invited to endorse October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) through the issuance of a proclamation or letter of support. Your organization can also participate by joining the nation’s SLTT governments in adopting a resolution or proclamation declaring CAM.

Continued support from leaders is critical and demonstrates the significant interest in cybersecurity as a public need. Our goal this year is to help all Americans learn how they can take simple, measurable steps to change their behavior and protect themselves online.

Please use this sample proclamation template as well as the sample proclamation request letter for your local officials to consider your local officials to consider. We ask that your staff contact the MS-ISAC by emailing [email protected] to notify us when the proclamation is issued.

Train Your Staff

Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE)

The Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) provides FREE online cybersecurity training to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government employees, federal contractors, US military veterans and the public. Managed by DHS, FedVTE contains more than 800 hours of training on topics such as ethical hacking and surveillance, risk management, and malware analysis.

SANS Training

The CIS CyberMarket helps MS-ISAC and EI-ISAC members, as well as other SLTTs, nonprofit organizations, and public education and healthcare institutions work together to save money on cybersecurity training.

Train the End-User

STOP. THINK. CONNECT. ™ Toolkit

Cyber criminals do not discriminate; they target vulnerable computer systems regardless of whether they are part of a large corporation, a small business, or belong to a home user. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility in which all Americans have a role to play. The STOP. THINK. CONNECT. ™ Toolkit provides resources for all segments of the community.

Additional Cybersecurity Resources

The MS-ISAC has discontinued its MS-ISAC Monthly Newsletters. In place of our newsletter, we suggest you subscribe to one of the resources below.

The SANS Institute OUCH! Newsletter is a no-cost distribution published every month and designed with end user cyber safety in mind, both at home and in the office.
The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA) offers other toolkits that contain useful guidance on topics such as teaching others about online safety,
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance co-lead the campaign and create resources for organizations to talk to their employees and customers about staying safe online. The slogan for this year’s 2024 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Campaign is “Secure our World”. We encourage you to download and share their toolkit with your staff to spread the importance of cybersecurity awareness.

Become More Mature

Nationwide Cybersecurity Review (NCSR)

The NCSR is a no-cost, anonymous, annual self-assessment designed to measure gaps and capabilities of state, local, tribal and territorial governments’ cybersecurity programs. The NCSR evaluates cybersecurity maturity across the nation while providing actionable feedback and metrics directly to you so you may leverage this data to increase your organization’s cybersecurity maturity.

Bring Security Home

Help your community bring security home by learning how they can take simple, measurable steps to change their behavior and protect themselves online. There are many resources available to the public, including opportunities to educate our youth on the importance of staying safe online.

2023 MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Toolkit

The MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Toolkit features educational materials designed to raise cybersecurity awareness through a variety of informative and practical means. The Toolkit has been developed by the MS-ISAC with customized material that can be widely shared across government, businesses, schools, and communities. While 2023 marked the final year of the Kids in Cyber Poster Contest, all associated materials will remain accessible for continued use. The 2023 Toolkit materials are available for download below:

The Center for Development of Security Excellence through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency offers free resources such as job aids, posters, and cybersecurity awareness training videos that can improve the cybersecurity understanding of your staff, students, or family.

Scholarship for Service (SFS)

Scholarship for Service (SFS) is a unique program that provides up to 3 years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate education. This is a great way to assist in funding education toward a rewarding, cutting edge career in cybersecurity!