National Computer Security Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Computer Security Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Computer Security Day is observed on November 30th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Computer Security Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you may want to know about National Computer Security Day.

📅 What day is National Computer Security Day 2024?

In 2024, National Computer Security Day is on Thursday, November 30th. It is the 5th Thursday in November; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all intriguing details and facts about November 30, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

On November 30th each year, it is important for us to acknowledge National Computer Security Day. This day holds significance as cyber security plays a crucial role in various aspects of our lives, including financial transactions, political choices, and more. It is essential to avoid incidents like the devastating MyDoom email virus, which resulted in massive financial losses totaling $38.5 billion. Therefore, let us educate ourselves on online safety measures to prevent such occurrences.

📜 National Computer Security Day History

Researchers at Cornell University made a surprising discovery on November 2, 1988 when they found an unknown virus lurking in their computer systems. This virus, known as the “Morris worm” malware, quickly spread to other university systems and the early version of the internet, called ARPANET. In response to such cyber attacks, two computer specialists from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) proposed the formation of a team called the “National Computer Infection Action Team” (NCAT) that would be available 24/7. Carnegie Mellon University’s research center, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), established the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) on November 14. In 1988, the Washington, D.C. branch of the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Special Interest Group on Security, Audit, and Control introduced National Computer Security Day to raise awareness about cybercrime and viruses. This day was strategically chosen to coincide with the holiday season when people are typically more focused on shopping rather than security threats. Over the years, CERT and the United States Department of Homeland Security joined forces to create the National Cyber Awareness System. Similarly, National Computer Security Day and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which both occur in October, have the same goal of promoting proactive measures to ensure online security. It is essential for everyone to educate themselves about common sense techniques to protect their online safety.

✅ National Computer Security Day Facts

🔖 It’s usually too late
On average, it takes about six months for a company to become aware of a data breach.

🔖 A drop in shares
After a data breach occurred, the average decrease in stock prices was 7.27%.

🔖 The best defense
The best defense against phishing attacks is human intelligence.

👍 Why Is National Computer Security Day Important

Your personal life is, well, personal, whether it’s a bank account or photos you should never have taken. This day serves as a reminder that we deserve to have our privacy safeguarded and that we cannot rely just on programmers to do it. We may protect ourselves by regularly upgrading antivirus software, using strong passwords, and encrypting data. Make sure your “bad old days” memories stay in your head, not in a stranger’s news feed!
This holiday serves as a reminder that illnesses propagate. When you connect an infected device to someone else’s device, you jeopardize their security. It doesn’t take much to compromise a whole network from there.
Engineers that work with security systems are unsung heroes. It’s difficult to stay one step ahead of hackers, especially when technology evolves so swiftly. Computer Security Day is the ideal opportunity to express your gratitude to these expert hacker-fighters!

🙂 How To Observe National Computer Security Day

⚡ Encrypt and backup your data
Create a highly challenging puzzle by encrypting your data, but remember that even the toughest puzzle can be solved. Therefore, it is crucial to always backup your data to the cloud or an external hard drive, ensuring that all information remains encrypted.

⚡ Create a strong password
We have a few suggestions regarding computer security. It is crucial to consider the length of your passwords. Passwords that are six characters or shorter can be easily cracked, particularly if they consist only of lowercase letters. To enhance the strength of your password, opt for a combination of capital letters, symbols, and numbers with a minimum length of nine characters. Lastly, it is advisable to avoid using the same password for all your accounts.

⚡ Update spyware and malware protection software
To begin, ensure that your computer’s operating system is current. If it is, proceed to update your security software. Conduct a thorough scan and don’t forget to include your other devices in the process. Keep in mind that phones and tablets also present notable security risks, so be cautious.

📅 When is National Computer Security Day?

Explore all 🔗 November holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

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