Register for Activities Statewide Throughout October 2023

Dover, Del. — It has been two decades since the federal launch of October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Over the past twenty years, cybersecurity protection strategies have changed drastically. In response to the ever-evolving cyber landscape, Governor John Carney and Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long are providing their support by again proclaiming October as Delaware’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This allows resources to be made available to provide free events including informational tables, presentations, workshops, and other activities throughout the State to help Delawareans of all ages to learn how to improve their security posture.  These programs cover topics on Protection (social media security and privacy information), Device Security (hands-on instruction on setting up device security on Android and Apple devices), and Detection (identifying, reporting, and learning about current scams).  Cyber Security Awareness Month will culminate with the 14^th Annual Secure Delaware Workshop on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall.

“We must learn to protect ourselves in the digital age and it takes all of us to help keep our data secure. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free activities and resources made available during Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” said Governor John Carney. “I want to thank the Delaware Department of Technology and Information for their efforts in educating the public of the risks and keeping Delaware safe from cyber-attacks.”

“We love to see advancements in technology for the convenience to the public and accuracy of data for business uses, but there is always an inherent risk that the technology can be used criminally. We’ve seen recent occurrences of cybersecurity attacks in the news, but much more common are incidents of credit card and identity theft — all of which can have devastating impacts,” said State of Delaware CIO Gregory Lane. “Bad actors only get more sophisticated, which is why it is so important that everyone learns how to protect themselves and stay safe online. Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month events provide opportunities that everyone can leverage to learn to be more vigilant.”

Delawareans of all ages are encouraged to join the events offered throughout October, including the Cybersecurity Awareness Month finale event — the 14^th annual Secure Delaware Workshop. Presented by the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) along with the Delaware League of Local Governments, Delaware Small Business Development Center, and the University of Delaware; the 2023 Secure Delaware Workshop provides training for businesses, students, and government employees that work, study, or live in Delaware. This free, in-person event is being held on Tuesday, October 24^th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall and will include two keynote speakers and nine breakout sessions designed to have something for everyone.  Whether you are a student just getting into the field and want to learn more about creating your own cyber range, a business manager concerned with the newest cyber laws and cyber insurance changes, or a long-term IT professional interested in attack simulation, deception technology, or ChatGPT, this conference has something for you.  This event offers the perfect opportunity to network with cyber professionals and technology vendors.

To learn more about cyber events happening in Delaware including Secure Delaware Workshop 2023 with registration information, visit the event page at https://digiknow.dti.delaware.gov/events/. There is no cost to attend any State of Delaware’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities. Please note that registration is limited for each of the events and final registration to attend the Secure Delaware Workshop closes October 6^th.

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Media Contact:

Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI
(302) 739-9736 w Christina.Dirksen@state.de.us

About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information

The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.

FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
October 17, 2022

Program Contact:
Claudette Wus, Senior Disaster Recovery Specialist, DTI
(302) 739-9636
Claudette.Wus@delaware.gov

Media Contact:
Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI
(302) 739-9736
Christina.Dirksen@state.de.us

Governor Carney Announces DE’s Participation in CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack
CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack offer free, fun games for high school and college students to discover their talent and enter the field of cybersecurity. Registration is open now!

Dover, Delaware — Delaware Governor John Carney and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Jason Clarke have announced that high school and college students across the First State can now register for CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack.  This innovative online program, sponsored by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation and the SANS Institute, allows participants to explore their potential cybersecurity talent. Building on the success of previous years’ National Cyber Scholarship Competitions, CyberStart America is open to all high school students. Delaware students in grades nine through twelve will have the chance to win prizes and recognition for their schools, as well as scholarships for advanced training. Cyber FastTrack is available for college students, where they too will have a chance to win scholarship awards and recognition for excellent performance. Nearly 1,400 Delaware students have participated in these programs over the past 7 years.

“One of the most important challenges for us is developing the cybersecurity workforce and finding talent. That’s why the programs that DTI and other partners are participating in are so important,” said Governor Carney. “Recently, I was able to meet some of these talented, next generation of cyber experts from last year’s CyberStart and Cyber FastTrack programs. With these programs, they have a strong foundation to pursue a cyber career.”

The CyberStart and Cyber FastTrack programs both offer a series of online challenges that allow participants to act as cyber protection agents solving cybersecurity-related puzzles and exploring related topics such as code-breaking, programming, networking, and digital forensics. For the high school level, the program can be assigned as part of homework, form the basis of an extracurricular club, or students can simply try it on their own. Participating students and their teachers do not need knowledge or experience in information technology or cybersecurity to take part. Everything they need can be learned in the game; however, support and communication about the program to students are needed. Both programs are free for schools and students. New this year will be a high school cyber presentation provided by Chief Security Officer Solomon Adote on October 27^th that will include information on cyber careers as well as a demo of the CyberStart America platform. High School students should contact their teacher for more information.

Students who do well in the program can earn access to scholarships and advanced training. The 2021-22 session had 352 Delaware high school student participants in CyberStart America — three of whom earned Finalist level and nine that reached the Scholar level — while 133 Delaware college students participated in Cyber FastTrack, with one reaching the Finalist level and eight in the Scholar bracket. These students were recognized at the Secure Delaware Workshop on October 4, 2022, which coincided with registration opening of the 2022-23 session of both CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack.

“I was introduced to “CyberStart American early Freshman year. I thoroughly enjoyed completing the challenges in the program, as they are presented in a beginner-friendly, non-intimidating manner. As I completed more and more challenges, I found that I could apply my knowledge in coding, forensics, cryptography, hashing, and the Linux command line that I’ve acquired from my experiences in Cyberpatriot and summer programs,” said Padua student Trisha Srikanth.  “Further, framing the challenges as hypothetical real-world situations certainly enlivened a very technical field and made the challenges more dynamic and engaging. In our increasingly digitized society, it is important that there are enough cybersecurity professionals to protect American devices and systems. Thus, it is wonderful that CyberStart is making cybersecurity more accessible to young students like me, sparking our passion for pursuing this field. Lastly, I am very grateful to DTI, our governor, and my community at Padua for all of their support and encouragement.”

“Cyber FastTrack helped me quickly learn about a broad range of topics in cybersecurity,” said Wilmington University student Richard Eaton. “Identification as a National Cyber Scholar provided me additional SANS Foundations training and certification that was some of the best, most engaging online training I’ve ever taken. It also afforded me the opportunity to be recognized in the field and establish meaningful connections with local cybersecurity leaders that have already provided job opportunities. I’m so grateful for the experience.”

“There is no question that it has been an eventful year on the cyber security front.  Everything from major breaches to new vulnerabilities, and an even greater focus on protecting critical infrastructure and third-party/supply chain compromises. It’s important to identify the next generation of cyber defenders to protect against these attacks that happen every minute of each day.  With programs like these, participants can pursue their passion in cybersecurity to help in this fight,” said CIO Jason Clarke.

To learn more about CyberStart America or to register, visit cyberstartamerica.org. College students can view the program details and register to participate at cyber-fasttrack.org.

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About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information

The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions. DTI.delaware.gov

About CyberStart America

CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack are free national programs for high school and college-level students, aiming to uncover hidden cyber talents, and to identify and develop the next generation of cyber superstars. The immersive gamified learning platforms can take students from zero cybersecurity knowledge to possessing the skills necessary to compete in a national-level Capture the Flag challenge in a matter of weeks. Students new to the field with a strong aptitude, as well as students with existing interest in the field, can use the platform to train and qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship Competition, allowing them to compete for life-changing college scholarship opportunities.

About The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF)

The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) is a national nonprofit whose mission is to identify, nurture and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts and eliminate the cybersecurity skills gap in the United States. NCSF aims to support the entry of thousands of highly talented students to the cybersecurity industry by providing enrichment opportunities, world-class training, and scholarships to fund advanced skills training.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2021

Media Contact:
Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI
(302) 739-9736
Christina.Dirksen@state.de.us

October Is Delaware Cyber Security Awareness Month
Register for Secure Delaware 2021

 Dover, Del. — Governor John Carney has declared October Delaware Cyber Security Awareness Month. Technology increasingly plays a part in almost everything we do. Connected devices have been woven into society as an integral part of how people communicate and access services essential to their well-being. Despite these great advances in technology and the conveniences this provides, recent events have shown us how quickly everything can be disrupted when cybercriminals and adversaries use technology to do harm. Cyber Security Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities while offering actionable guidance surrounding behaviors anyone can take to protect themselves and their organizations. Throughout October, all Delaware residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in the various events being offered throughout the State: including presentations, educational workshops for seniors, on-site expert events, and conferences. As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is also hosting our 12^th Annual Secure Delaware workshop to provide superior training for our citizens, businesses, students, and government employees. This free, hybrid in-person and online event will be held Thursday, October 28 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

“Delaware must provide opportunities for all individuals to learn how they can protect themselves while online to help our state remain secure,” said Governor John Carney. “Cyber Security Awareness Month events, such as Secure Delaware, help us learn the steps we need to take to stay safe online. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free educational events available.”

“Cyber experts have warned that during the COVID-19 pandemic cybercrime was up 600% and email is the primary entry point for the vast majority,” said State of Delaware CIO Jason Clarke. “Advancements in technology mean that we are more connected now than ever, but cybercriminals are more sophisticated as well. That is why it is critical for each of us to stay vigilant and to be our own first line of defense by learning what we can do to keep our information secure. This year’s Cyber Security Awareness Month theme focuses on ‘Who’s Tracking You?’ to highlight potential pitfalls of location services and settings. You can learn more about this and other cyber best practices at any of the events and workshops, including Secure Delaware, planned throughout October.”

The 2021 Secure Delaware Cyber Workshop is an opportunity to come together for an informative full-day session.  During this hybrid event, industry experts on cyber security will present information to in-person attendees and online. The conference will include three keynote speakers along with twelve unique cyber topics for the smaller group breakout sessions. Topics include cyber insurance, risk management, securing a remote workforce, legal and privacy implications, securing cloud environments, insider threats, and more. In-person opportunities will be available to network and collaborate across all lines of government, business, and citizens, with the goal of strengthening our readiness and response posture. Those that choose to attend virtually will have access to view presentations and schedule future conversations with industry leaders. The event is a partnership made available by the Delaware Department of Technology and Information, Delaware League of Local Governments, Delaware Small Business Development Center, JP Morgan Chase, and the University of Delaware.

To learn more about Secure Delaware 2021, and to register to attend in person or online, please visit the event page at Digiknow.Delaware.gov. There is no cost to attend. Please note that registration to attend in-person closes on October 8. Virtual registration will remain open through the event.

For a complete list of other Delaware Cyber Security Awareness Month activities, please visit the events calendar at DigiKnow.delaware.gov.

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About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information

The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.

Dover, DE – Governor John Carney has declared October Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM) in Delaware and the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) has a number of activities planned. For the first time, the kick-off event is a brand new Cyber Safety and Security presentation, launching Thursday October 1, 2020 at 12:00pm EST.  This virtual event can be found at https://digiknow.dti.delaware.gov/pages/cybersecurityevents.shtml.

The 2020 Cyber Security Awareness Month Virtual Event provides information, tips and cyber safety reminders. This compilation of videos and materials, designed to serve the cyber safety information needs for anyone ranging from teens to businesses and organizations, is divided into concise and easily viewed segments.

Four categories featured in the presentation are:  Citizens, Businesses, Government, and Industry Partners.  Information is presented in a series of short videos and printable materials.  The virtual event is designed to address any person that is touched by technology – and that is EVERYONE! Learn about security related to mobile devices, phishing attacks and protecting personal private data or take a look at each industry that you use and the security protocols they use to keep your data secure.

There is no cost or registration needed to take part in this event.  It is formatted to permit viewing in segments or in its entirety.  Numerous links to well-trusted sources make the event both educational and entertaining.

This event is a collaboration between DTI and the Delaware Cyber Security Advisory Council (DCSAC).

For more information on other Cyber Security Awareness Month activities, go to: Digiknow.delaware.gov.

CSA Program Contact:
Claudette Martin-Wus, DTI
(302) 739-9636, Martin-Wus.Claudette@state.de.us

Media Contact:
Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI
(302) 739-9736 w Christina.Dirksen@delaware.gov

Challenge launched during National Cyber Security Awareness Month to ignite student interest in the high-demand cyber security field 
 

DOVER, Del. — As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Governor John Carney on Wednesday joined Delaware Department of Technology and Information’s (DTI) Chief Information Officer James Collins and Chief Security Officer Elayne Starkey, as well as representatives from the Delaware Department of Education and National Security Agency (NSA), a host of cyber security subject matter experts, and over 400 attendees at the 2017 Secure Delaware Workshop to highlight the importance cyber security training across all lines of government, business, and citizens to strengthen our readiness and response posture.

During the event, Governor Carney announced the official launch of the Delaware “NSA Day of Cyber” School Challenge, a free statewide program designed to ignite interest in cyber security among the state’s youth by enabling them to test drive occupations with the fully-funded online cyber security career exploration platform.

“Cybercrime is one of the greatest threats to our nation and we live in a world where we increasingly rely on electronic information storage and communication that must be protected,” said Governor Carney. “The importance of cyber security cannot be overstated, and Delaware’s innovation economy needs a talented pipeline of cyber security professionals. Delaware has always sought to take a proactive stance in protecting the online information of our residents, businesses and employees, and I am excited that we are partnering with NSA and LifeJourney to host the NSA Day of Cyber School Challenge for Delaware students to promote interest among the state’s youth in this cutting-edge field.”

“Organizations are having difficulty hiring cyber talent, and many positions are going unfilled. The ‘Day of Cyber’ Challenge provides an exciting platform for Delaware students to start thinking early about cyber security and related fields so we can better prepare them to have the foundation they need to compete in an increasingly globalized workforce,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

Rick Geritz, CEO of LifeJourney, the company that created the NSA Day of Cyber program said, “Cyberspace technology is young and changing at rapid pace, that is why it is so important to have a trained workforce to defend us in cyberspace. Governor Carney’s leadership to prioritize cyber security skills will not only accelerate Delaware’s workforce but also serve as model for the nation.”

The Secure Delaware Workshop, hosted by DTI, the Greater Wilmington Cyber Security Group, Delaware League of Local Governments, Delaware Technical and Community College, and the Delaware Small Business Development Center was held at the Dover Downs Conference Center in Dover. Additional agenda topics ranged from current trends, managing risk and federal/state cyber security policies to privacy issues, malware detection and emerging technologies such as block chain.

“The safekeeping of our state’s enterprise systems and protection of our citizens’ information is a top priority,” noted DTI Chief Information Officer James Collins. “The Secure Delaware Workshop brings together the best and brightest in the field of cyber security to provide training for anyone — resident, student, business, government or employee —to learn how to defend yourself, your family, your employer, your business, and the citizens of Delaware against cyber-attacks.”

To sign up to participate in the Delaware “Day of Cyber” challenge, visit Bit.ly/DEDayofCyberChallenge. To learn more cyber awareness and resources available to prevent cybercrime, visit digiknow.dti.delaware.gov.

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About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information
The Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides innovative enterprise services enabling other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.

About NSA Day of Cyber
The NSA Day of Cyber, sponsored by the National Security Agency and powered by the LifeJourney technology, is an online, self-guided career exploration and mentorship platform that enables students to test-drive cyber careers and live a day in the life of six leading NSA cyber professionals. Each student will receive a Cyber Resume and Certificate of Completion signed by the NSA. The NSA Day of Cyber experience is available, at no cost, to be run by schools and organizations anytime throughout the year. Schools, teachers, organizations, parents and students can register at http://nsadayofcyber.com.

About LifeJourney
LifeJourney ™ is the leader in cyber security and STEM online career exploration and simulation. A web-based tool for the classroom that enables students to explore, discover and test-drive exciting careers  of America’s STEM and Cyber security leaders, and thus become informed and inspired to follow the related STEM pathways to achieve those futures. The LifeJourney experience enables teachers to directly connect what they are teaching in the classroom to what students learn through the tools and technologies of organizations defining the workforce needs of tomorrow. www.lifejourney.us.

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