THE Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) in the Ministry of Science and Technology will observe its third national Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.

The month, which is observed internationally, will focus on the theme ‘Cybersecurity our Shared Responsibility’ with the sub-theme ‘Think Before You Click’.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on yesterday, head of Ja-CIRT, Dr Moniphia Hewling, said that the month-long observation will be used to increase awareness among consumers, students and businesses.

She said it will address specific challenges and identify opportunities to foster behaviour change.

The month-long activities will get under way with a church service on September 30 at the Highholborn Street Church of God, downtown Kingston, starting at 9:30 am.

Each week will have a different theme, with week one to focus on ‘Ensuring Safety at Home’. Ja-CIRT will use the period to highlight basic security measures that householders can take to protect themselves against cyberthreats.

Visits will be made to schools and educational institutions during week two as Ja-CIRT sensitises students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors about ‘Careers in Cybersecurity’.

During the third week, emphasis will be placed on ‘Online Safety at Work’, and Ja-CIRT will highlight ways small and medium-sized businesses can protect themselves, employees and customers against cyberthreats.

The final week will focus on safeguarding the nation’s most critical infrastructure such as finance, water, electricity, health systems and transport, and will underscore the roles that the public can play in helping to keep these safe.

Other activities for the month include exhibitions, a jingle competition, social media campaign, school tours and training sessions for officers in ministries, agencies and departments.

The major highlight will be Cybersecurity Awareness Day on October 26. Activities on the day will include a Business Leaders Breakfast Forum at The Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, where Prime Minster Andrew Holness will be the guest speaker.

This will be followed by a road show in Mandela Park, Half-Way-Tree, starting at 1:00 pm.

The month of activities includes collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch, Fortinet, Universal Service Fund, E-Learning Jamaica, and tTech Limited.