COMPUTER SAFETY/Security DAY – 30TH NOVEMBER 2011

Computer Security Day is held yearly on November 30th as a way of reminding all computer users that computer security and safety is an important personal and workplace responsibility.^[1]This is a good day to do some basic security checks and to follow up anything you've been meaning to do for a while. This article presents some of the things that you might like to consider doing on Computer Security Day or any day when you're concerned about your computer's security.

 Steps

 1.      Read your workplace's computer security policy again. 

2.   Check your computer station and office for security and safety issues.

Looking around the area you work in can reveal a number of hazards that can be dealt with, easily provided you follow through checking them methodically. Here are some suggested activities:

3.  3.

 Check the security and safety of your computer hardware.

 Whenever you leave your room or office, can other people access or remove your computing equipment? If so, consider instituting practices that will prevent them from doing anything with your computer:

4.      Clean the hardware and your desk zone. A cluttered workspace and messy office can be the cause of sloppy work practices in relation to confidential information and the more at ease everyone has become with leaving confidential information lying about, the harder it becomes to break the slack cycle. Jump on it now!

5.      Check for software and program vulnerabilities. Use the tools at hand to keep your computer software, applications, and programs in top shape.

6.      Verify computer inventories. If you're running a business or you're in the part of the organization that's responsible for computers, use this day to take inventories.

7.      Update computer security training manuals. Plan to give mini computer security sessions to staff and other people on this day. Send or hand out the new manual to people who need it.

8.      Back up your computer data. For every computer owned, back up the data. If you don't already back-up regularly, make today the day to draw up a plan to remind yourself to make regular back-ups, or use a program that will do this for you automatically.

9.      Think security and safety when you're out and about. Carrying laptops, notebooks, and electronic data gadgets can lead you into trouble if you don't pay adequate attention. Things to do include:

10 Wipe clean old computers being donated to charity, schools, or the recycling depot at the tip. You don't want an unscrupulous person resurrecting your personal data.

http://www.wikihow.com/Participate-in-Computer-Security-Day