LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Whitmer has proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Michigan.
According to an official press release, the proclamation is meant to encourage state residents, businesses, financial institutions, schools, and others to take the steps necessary to stop cyber criminals in their tracks.
In Michigan alone, residents and businesses have lost more than $42 million to cybercriminal activities so far this year, with an average victim loss of over $5,400, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
“Every day, Michiganders rely on the internet – to communicate, to conduct business and financial transactions, to learn, to provide healthcare … the list is endless,” Whitmer said in the press release. “Our reliance on the internet makes us all susceptible to a sophisticated group of hackers who go online to perpetrate serious and sophisticated crimes. The state of Michigan has a vital responsibility to identify, protect, and respond to cyber threats that may have a significant impact on our individual and collective security and privacy, but we also have a personal responsibility to take the steps necessary to protect ourselves, our families, and our businesses when we go online.”
This proclamation marks the ninth straight year that October has been recognized as Michigan Cybersecurity Month.
As a result, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) and the Michigan State Police will be working together to promote safe habits that citizens can use to stay safe online throughout the month of October.
“When it comes to preventing cybercrime, individuals must be educated and remain vigilant,” DTMB Director Tricia Foster said. “Everyone must be careful and limit the information shared online and through email and social media. Install antivirus software on all your devices and be mindful of the ways cyber criminals can target you through phishing and other identity theft scams. Always be suspicious of any requests that require immediate action or convey dire consequences.”
Citizens interested in learning more about how to protect themselves online can visit michigan.gov/cybersecurity
