Cyber security hot topic at Mesa conference

MESA, AZ - The city of Mesa is hosting a conference that focuses on cyber security.

The United States Department of Homeland Security Cyber Security Summit will be held at 1 E. Main Street in Mesa starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with registration.

According to a news release, the conference includes experts talking about threats in an increasingly networked world and current threats affecting businesses, local governments, and users such as social engineering, security of mobile devices and many of the trending applications on smart phones and PCs.

Participants will get an overview of methods in training supervisors to spot and mitigate the cyber insider threat.

Statistics reveal that approximately 40 percent of the cyber incidents are caused by insiders.

Officials say cyber risks are real and endanger our national security:

• Every 3 seconds an identity is stolen online
• Cybercrime has surpassed illegal drug dealing as the #1 criminal moneymaker worldwide
• Without security, your unprotected computer can become infected within 4 minutes of connecting to the internet

Cyber security threats can take many forms, from identity theft, to online fraud, to cyber bullying. It is important to know and to understand how and why these threats work in order to better protect yourself and your business against them. 

The national Stop.Think.Connect. campaign is designed to combat threats and raise cyber security awareness throughout the country. The campaign urges Internet users to:

• Stop: Before you use the Internet, take time to understand the risks and learn how to spot potential problems.
• Think: Take a moment to be certain the path ahead is clear. Watch for warning signs and consider how your actions online could impact your safety or your family's.
• Connect: Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence, knowing you've taken the right steps to safeguard yourself and your computer.