From the first reported attacks of the year affecting public safety in New Jersey on January 4th, to the shocking attacks of August 16th which hit 22 municipalities in Texas, cyberattacks are increasingly affecting our customers. While cyber attacks are on the rise across the board, in public safety, the number of attacks has more than doubled – from 27 publically reported events in 2018 to more than 75 so far in 2019. More than ever before, public safety professionals are facing cyber risks to their mission. As a result, they are seeking solutions and are working to draw greater awareness to the problem.
Each October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month provides an opportunity to share information and resources to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity does not happen by chance and technology alone does not ensure cybersecurity. It requires a focus on implementing the right technologies, engaging with knowledgeable people and implementing effective processes.
At Motorola Solutions, we are dedicated to spreading awareness and ensuring that our customers fully understand the reality of today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape. We are observing Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a number of activities designed to generate awareness of both the risks and holistic solutions:
- Cybersecurity Webinar: On Oct. 3 at 12:30 p.m CDT, we are partnering with Mission Critical Communications to host a webinar titled “Two Agencies – Two Approaches to Cyber Resilience”. Join me and leaders from Waukesha County (WI) Emergency Preparedness and City of Pismo Beach (CA) as we discuss the process, people and tools needed to safeguard public safety systems against cyber threats. Register for the webinar.
- APCO Fall Emerging Technology Forum Presentation: On Oct. 8 from 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. MDT, Dan Zeiler, Director of Cybersecurity for 9-1-1 Solutions at Motorola Solutions, will be presenting “DDoS and TDoS – Defending Against the Great Threats” during the APCO TechTalk segment in Denver.
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Chicago Demo: From Oct. 27 – 29, we will be promoting our cybersecurity services at our IACP booths – #3811, #3611 and #3023. The booths will feature demos showing how easily actors can hack into unsecured systems, coupled with an interactive experience that takes you inside our Security Operations Center – simulating a real-time security event and how it is addressed.
In addition to raising awareness among our customers, we remain dedicated to developing a culture of cybersecurity internally and are offering the following events:
- Risk Management Webinar: In September our Products and Services Cybersecurity team kicked off its ‘Risky Business’ video series for employees. The series features senior leaders and subject matter experts discussing a variety of topics related to risk. The series will culminate with a live webinar on Oct. 9.
- Employee CyberCast: Available Oct. 18, employees can listen to the earlier conversation I had with three key members of Waukesha County’s Department of Emergency Preparedness as we discussed what employees need to know about how our customers view and are handling cyberthreats.
- Cybersecurity Thought Leadership: We will be sharing a number of resources for continued learning and training, including blogs, white papers, infographics and brochures. Subscribe to our blog to get the latest industry and technology insights.
We live in an increasingly complex digital environment. Cybersecurity awareness efforts should not just be limited to the month of October.
At Motorola Solutions, we are committed to growing awareness and enthusiasm around cybersecurity and preparedness. Because it’s no longer a matter of if, but when, a cyber attack will occur.
