Oklahoma has set the stage for a heightened focus on digital defenses by declaring October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Governor J. Kevin Stitt, collaborating with the force behind the state's cybersecurity, OMES Oklahoma Cyber Command, and the Oklahoma Information Sharing and Analysis Center (OK-ISAC), has backed the 21st-annual National Cybersecurity Month campaign. This initiative underscores the vital role Oklahomans play in securing personal and state digital infrastructure, as detailed in a release sourced from the Oklahoma government's official website.
OMES Oklahoma Cyber Command works tirelessly to protect state data and systems from a vast volume of cyber threats. In acknowledging their role, State Chief Information Security Officer Michael Toland emphasized, "Oklahoma is proud to be at the forefront of cybersecurity, with one of the most advanced cyber teams in the nation." Toland, underscoring the importance of individual diligence during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, added, "Protecting our citizens’ sensitive information is a top priority," according to the Oklahoma government's announcement.
As part of its commitment to bolstering cyber resilience, Oklahoma encourages businesses, individuals, and agencies to participate in the Secure Our World campaign, an initiative by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Launched in 2023, this campaign focuses on actionable steps like creating robust passwords, employing multifactor authentication, keeping software updated, and reporting phishing attempts. Joe McIntosh, Oklahoma’s state chief information officer, articulated, "Cybersecurity is not just a government responsibility – it’s a community effort," as noted in the Oklahoma government's announcement.
Oklahomans are urged to join the digital safety movement by adopting simple yet crucial cybersecurity habits and becoming Oklahoma Champions. This distinction will be highlighted on the OK-ISAC website for contributing to a secure cyber environment. Those with an interest in taking up the mantle of cybersecurity can seek more details by contacting OK-ISAC through their dedicated email address found in the state's announcement.
For matters of cybersecurity at home or in professional settings, resources and a toolkit for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 are available on CISA’s initiative page. Meanwhile, reports of cyber incidents or suspicious activities by state employees should be directed to the OMES Service Desk, whereas the general public can report such cases to agencies like the FBI through its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Trade Commission.
