PSA and USAV Announces Commitment to Supporting and Promoting Online Safety and Privacy for Cybersecurity Awareness Month
WESTMINSTER, CO – October 1, 2020 – PSA, the world’s largest systems integrator consortium, and USAV, a division of PSA, today announced a commitment to supporting National Cybersecurity Awareness Month—held annually in October—by signing up as a Champions and joining a growing global effort to promote the awareness of online safety and privacy. The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals committed to this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme of ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’ The program aims to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.
“We are honored to do our part to spread awareness about the importance of protecting against theft or damage in the cyber world,” said Chris Salazar-Mangrum, Vice President of USAV. “With technology being interwoven into every aspect of our lives both professionally and personally, cyberseruity is crucial. Security breaches can be extremely disruptive, yet efforts to implement simple protections often get overlooked. Our hope is by joining this effort to develop awareness and help educate, USAV can be part of creating an interconnected world that will be safter and more resilient for everyone.”
The overarching message of this year’s theme, ‘If you Connect it, Protect it,’ dives into the importance of keeping connected devices safe and secure from outside influence. More than ever before, connected devices have been woven into society as an integral part of how people communicate and access services essential to their well-being. Data collected from these devices can detail highly specific information about a person or business which can be exploited by bad actors for their personal gain. Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities, while offering guidance surrounding simple security measures to limit the susceptibility of threats for commonly used devices.
This year, the Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s main weekly focus areas will revolve around:
Understanding and following general security hygiene for connected devices and home networks
The importance of connected devices security for remote workers
How connected devices play a pivotal role in the future of healthcare; and
The overall future of connected devices for consumers, professionals and the public domain
If everyone does their part—implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees—our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.
PSA and USAV will be releasing information on an interactive campaign which will allow their members to assess their current cybersecurity status and explore areas to expand their own company's protection. One participating member will be randomly selected to win a grand prize package valued at over $1500 USD.
Now in its 17th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online. USAV is proud to support this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative which is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Cybersecurity is important to the success of all businesses and organizations. NCSA is proud to have such a strong and active community helping to encourage proactive behavior and prioritize cybersecurity in their organizations,” said Kelvin Coleman, Executive Director, NCSA.
For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020 and how to participate in a wide variety of activities, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/. You can also follow and use the official hashtag #BeCyberSmart on social media throughout the month.
For more information about USAV or any of its partners, visit: https://www.usavgroup.net/.
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About PSA
PSA is the world’s largest systems integrator consortium made up of the most progressive security and audio-visual systems integrators in North America. Combined, PSA members boast over 400 branch locations, employ over 7,500 industry professionals and are responsible for over $4.5 billion annually in security, fire, life safety and pro audio-visual installations.
PSA’s mission is to empower its owners to become the most successful systems integrators in the markets they serve. PSA brings this mission to life by partnering with industry leading product and solution providers, delivering unparalleled education and training programs and by offering a variety of distinctive services that can enhance any company’s operations. Learn more at www.psasecurity.com.
About USAV
USAV is a division of PSA, the world’s largest systems integrator consortium made up of the most progressive security and audio-visual systems integrators in North America. Combined, PSA members boast over 400 branch locations, employ over 7,500 industry professionals and are responsible for over $4.5 billion annually in security, fire, life safety and pro audio-visual installations. USAV bonds pro audio-visual affiliates together as an elite industry team. With integrator members throughout the world, partnerships with top pro AV manufacturers and service providers, and alignment with leading industry associations, the advantage USAV provides is unparalleled by any other industry association. USAV integrators provide clients with the benefit of a nationwide network of pro AV specialists and personal relationships with local AV experts. For more information, visit www.usavgroup.net.
About Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/.
About NCSA
NCSA is the Nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA’s primary partners are the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and NCSA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AIG; American Express; Bank of America; Cofense; Comcast Corporation; Eli Lilly and Company; ESET North America; Facebook; Intel Corporation; Lenovo; LogMeIn; Marriott International; Mastercard; MediaPro; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; KnowBe4; NortonLifeLock; Proofpoint; Raytheon; Trend Micro, Inc.; Uber: U.S. Bank; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA’s core efforts include Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™, the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from the Department of Homeland Security; and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit https://staysafeonline.org.
USAV Media Contact:
Brittany Board
Marketing Manager, USAV
Office: 303-450-3441
bboard@usavgroup.net
PSA Media Contact:
Hannah McDermott
Marketing Manager, PSA
Office: 303-450-3470
hmcdermott@psasecurity.com