The end of October also marks the end of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Unfortunately, problems associated with cybersecurity aren't ending so quickly.
The observance started in 2004, and is sponsored by the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) within the Department of Homeland Security, and by the nonprofit National Cyber Security Alliance. The goal is to alert people to possible cyber-threats and offer tips and best practices concerning how to stay safe online.
Cyber threats pose dangers to individual computer users, but also can be serious threats to national security.
Children, especially, can be vulnerable.
State Auditor Nicole Galloway recently visited six schools in southern Missouri to commend officials on their efforts to be a Cyber Aware School. Each of the school districts have policies in place that require notification if a data breach occurs.
"State law does not require schools to notify parents if their children or family's personal information has been compromised in a data breach, and as a parent and as state auditor, I find that concerning," Galloway said in a statement. "I'm pleased to visit and congratulate these schools for taking a proactive approach to cyber awareness and voluntarily incorporating this critical step into their policies."
These visits are part of a statewide initiative by Auditor Galloway to encourage schools to adopt a policy that will increase safeguards for students whose information is compromised during a data breach.
Current state law does not require notification if student information is compromised in a cybersecurity incident. A bill to set this requirement failed to gain traction during last spring's legislative session."
Galloway was part of that bipartisan effort. The bill is expected to be filed again during the 2018 legislative session.
Some may look at this as adding to bureaucratic red tape. But to us it seems like a common-sense proposal that deserves a thorough debate in the House and Senate next year.