Your computer may be among an estimated 100,000 PCs in the United States that are vulnerable to a software attack that has already infected more than 4 million computers in 100 countries worldwide, according to Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity officials.

On May 8, Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Rand Beers warned on the DHS Web Blog that users need to take immediate action to protect themselves from a massive, highly sophisticated Internet fraud scheme. The malware known as DNS Changer (short for Domain Name System Changer) is believed to circumvent users’ anti-virus software, allowing cybercriminals to take control of the computers’ domain name systems.

The FBI secured a court order in March to roll out “clean DNS servers” to fight the fraud, and members of the public have until July 9, 2012, to avail themselves of the online disinfection resources. Beers urged users to act immediately by accessing the DNS Changer Working Group website, which provides free PC diagnosis without software uploads.

For more information, or to check your PC for possible DNS Changer infection, please visit http://www.dcwg.org/, or the FBI’s website at:
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911.

The Better Business Bureau reports that last year, more than 11.6 million adults became victims of identity fraud in the U.S., up 13 percent over 2010. Social networks and smart phones accounted for some of the uptick, but the organization says just following our old-fashioned “paper trail” is still a prime method for criminals to gather our personal information and commit fraud.

“Identity theft is a major issue in this country,” said Katherine Hutt, spokesperson at the Council of Better Business Bureaus, “and one of the easiest ways for criminals to steal your identity is to get a hold of tax forms, bank statements, credit card records, and Social Security statements. When you don’t need hard copies of this information any longer, the best thing is to shred it and dispose of it securely.”

For more information on BBB  “Secure Your ID Day” and identity theft prevention measures for both consumers and businesses, visit www.bbb.org/us/secure-your-id. San Diegans can also access additional information and resources at the Identity Theft Resource Center.

WHAT:

The Security Network presents the 9th Annual Security Summit: “San Diego as a Living Test Bed”

WHEN:

May 9-10, 2012

WHERE:

San Diego Marriott Courtyard Hotel at Liberty Station

WHY:

The 9th Annual The Security Summit, the marquee event of The Security Network, will be held May 9-10 in San Diego. This year the event becomes bi-coastal with its first-ever Washington, DC-based event, fulfilling a long-time dream of bringing the unique mix of innovation and high-level government and military interaction across a broad range of security and defense industries and agencies.

Besides its traditional strength of providing a form for technology innovation in security and defense, The Security Summit – West has a theme designed to showcase the true strengths of the region: “San Diego as a Living Test Bed.” With a strong innovation culture and spirit of collaboration, San Diego has an incredibly diverse mix of local, state, federal agencies and organizations in public safety, law enforcement and military. Many of the key decision-makers will be there looking for technology as well as providing insight for small businesses who would like to sell into those markets.

WHO:

Interested parties my contact Executive Director Bill Riedy regarding exhibits sponsorships. More information is available online at www.TheSecurity​Network.org.

Events such as the San Diego Mayor’s Cyber Cup Competition not only prepare students for their digital future, but help ensure that a new generation of tech experts will be available to combat cyber threats to our national security. So says Liz Fraumann, Director of Cybersecurity Awareness & Education for Securing Our eCity (SOeC) and the ESET Foundation.

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According to Government Security News:

The House Homeland Security Committee approved a cyber security bill on April 18 aimed at securing federal information systems and helping private sector critical infrastructure owners/operators, but key committee members complained that its watered-down provisions weren’t adequate.

The committee approved H.R. 3674, the Promoting and Enhancing Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Effectiveness Act of 2011 (the PRECISE Act) by voice vote, after a lengthy mark-up session that saw the bill’s scope scaled back. It now moves on for consideration by the full House.

The bill, originally introduced by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) in February had aimed to create a national information sharing organization to oversee the cyber protection of critical infrastructure, but will now only authorize the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

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SAN DIEGO, April 19, 2012 — Securing Our eCity® (SOeC), the ESET Foundation Signature Program, has announced plans to launch a cybersecurity cluster effort in San Diego, in partnership with the San Diego Advanced Defense Technology (SDADT) Cluster.

“San Diego is emerging as a `cyber harbor,’ and cybersecurity hot spot similar to the way Silicon Valley became the hub for early computer development in years past. With portions of that industry now commoditized, the leading edge of innovation has shifted to protecting software and data running on various platforms. Our region has become the international focal point for cross-industry cybersecurity expertise and development, with hundreds of providers already in place,” said Jessie J. Knight Jr., Chairman, ESET Foundation, Inc. and Chairman & CEO of San Diego Gas & Electric. “Our strength is in our unique ability for collaboration and commonality that spurs growth and prosperity. We believe that cybersecurity is the key element that draws all businesses together and is our shared responsibility.”

“By identifying local organizations involved in cyberdefense work, and bringing them together as a business cluster, we can attract new companies and talent to our area, and help bolster San Diego’s economy,” said Louis Kelly, Co-Chair of Securing Our eCity Cluster Workgroup and Director of the SDADT Cluster. He also serves as Chair of the San Diego San State University Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology (CCAT).

One of the first initiatives to be undertaken by SOeC and SDADT will be to compile an extensive database of cybersecurity companies and related university programs in the San Diego region. This will serve as a master directory of organizations that are selling cybersecurity products, services, or performing research related to all areas of national concern for information security. A dynamic cross section of both vertical and horizontal industries – private and public – will include organizations like defense, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, banking and finance, transportation, and other commercial sectors.

“This effort falls right into line with CONNECT’s convergence cluster initiative to foster regional focus on the importance of cybersecurity,” said Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT, a globally recognized organization that fosters entrepreneurship in the San Diego region by promoting the formation of new technology and life sciences companies. “The formation of a regional cybersecurity cluster is not only vital to our regions business economy, but also to our national security and the safety of our citizens.”

“San Diego has rapidly become one of the leading cybersecurity centers in the world,” said Mark Cafferty, President & CEO, of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. “We have witnessed a convergence of world-class capabilities from our existing military, biometrics, and software analytics communities that will allow San Diego to compete for jobs and investment in this new environment. The launch of the cybersecurity business cluster is a testament to our region’s unique local assets and competitive advantages in this area.”

There are numerous benefits available to organizations that identify themselves and take part in the SOeC/SDADT Cybersecurity Cluster initiative, according to San Diego Gas & Electric CEO and Chairman Jessie Knight, who chairs the ESET Foundation, sponsoring organization of SOeC. These benefits include:

• Being included in future joint marketing efforts undertaken by SOeC and its partners on behalf of San Diego cybersecurity cluster member organizations.
• Possible participation in future grant proposals that SOeC will pursue with the Department of Homeland Security. As the signature program of the recently incorporated ESET Foundation, SOeC now operates along with the Foundation as a nonprofit (501c3), facilitating its eligibility for DHS grants.
• Eligibility for inclusion as a client in the SDADT Cluster. The focus of the SDADT is to assist small businesses in the transition of their technologies into defense applications. The SDADT Cluster provides a customized package of business support that includes: market research, business mentoring, proposal preparation, demonstrations to customers, and assistance in locating funding sources. This support will include outreach to local defense organizations such as SPAWAR and SSC Pacific for possible funding opportunities, demonstrations and introductions.

Companies or universities engaged in cybersecurity work are urged to register at the following link: http://www.ccatsandiego.org/ccat_intranet/cybersecurityDb/CyberSecuritySignUpForm.html

For additional information about Securing Our eCity®, its upcoming events and additional ways to get involved, please visit, http://www.securingourecity.org/. For the latest cyber threat and education information, follow Securing Our eCity on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook or follow SOeC’s blog at http://www.securingourecity.org/blog.

About The ESET Foundation

Founded in late 2011, the ESET Foundation’s mission is to foster community collaboration to create educational awareness for cyber and societal challenges. Headquartered in San Diego, the ESET Foundation’s signature program is the award winning Securing Our eCity®, recognized in 2010 by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the best local and community program. The ESET Foundation brings together like-minded organizations whose primary goal is to encourage cybersecurity for business, families, youth and seniors. For more information visit www.esetfoundation.org or, email Steve.Kovsky@esetfoundation.org

About Securing Our eCity

Securing Our eCity (SOeC) is signature program of the ESET Foundation, a nonprofit corporation. SOeC is focused on fostering public/private partnerships at local, state, national and international levels while helping counter cyber threats and creating more cyber secure communities across the globe. Stakeholders from coast to coast including consumer advocates, business owners, and governmental agencies (law enforcement and legislative bodies) have come together to raise awareness, education and help individuals and businesses prepare for cybersecurity challenges now and in the future. The founding stakeholders include ESET North America, San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, UCSD and SDSU. To learn more, visit: www.securingourecity.org

About San Diego Advanced Defense Technology Cluster

The San Diego Advanced Defense Technology (SDADT) Cluster if one of the 10 Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs) funded by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and one of three RICs focused on defense requirements.  The SDADT is partnered with the U.S. Navy’s SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific and brings together a membership which includes all of the area defense primes, the defense-oriented industrial associations, all of the area elements of the SBA, and several other organizations that support small businesses, such as the Foundation for Enterprise Development (FED), CONNECT, and the SDSU Entrepreneurial Management Center.  The SDADT has two missions: to help grow jobs in the region, and to help accelerate the transition of innovations located in small businesses into Department of Defense programs. Cybersecurity is one of the principle areas of focus for SDADT.

Cyber Cup contestants confer during finals competition at UCSD Supercomputer Center."

The University of California, San Diego’s Bruce Arnold says the campus’ Supercomputer Center was proud to host the annual San Diego Mayor’s Cyber Cup Competition again this year — not only to help recruit the brightest students in Southern California to study at this famed facility, but also to encourage more students to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

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Cybersecurity Poster Contest 2012

What is it?

The Securing Our eCity, Cybersecurity Poster Contest 2012 is a contest for 6th-12th grade students designed to help promote cybersecurity awareness and education throughout Southern California schools. We are offering students an opportunity to showcase their creative talents and submit posters that will be used in our local cybersecurity campaign throughout 2012-13. The topic categories to choose from for submission include:

• Socializing Online
• Sexting
• Cyberbullying
• Phishing
• File Sharing/Piracy
• Identity Theft

Entries must be submitted to Karen Barney at Karen@idtheftcenter.org no later than midnight, Friday, September 14, 2012. Voting will be conducted by a panel of judges from the Securing Our eCity Education and Awareness Workgroups. Finalists will be notified no later than Monday, October 1, 2012. Winners will be honored at the Securing Our eCity Cybersecurity Symposium and Awards to be held in October.

Prizes

How to participate

Submit entries no later than Friday, September 14, 2012 to:

Karen Barney
Co-chair for Securing Our eCity Awareness Workgroup
c/o
ITRC
karen@idtheftcenter.org
858 444 3286

Downloads

• Poster Contest Flyer
• Sample Poster
• Contest Details
• Required Elements:
  • Securing Our eCity logo
  • Link to: www.securingourecity.org
  • STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Logo

Poster Contest Sponsors

In this interview with SAIC Vice President Duke Ayers at the UCSD Supercomputer Center, he discusses his role as Program Manager for the CyberNEXS system that powers the Mayor’s Cyber Cup, and how the competition benefits San Diego and beyond by helping encourage the next generation of “cyber warriors.”

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