Sunday, August 4 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Megan Bixler, RPL, CPE, APCO International
During the Cybersecurity Life Hacks session, tips, tricks, and best practices were given to assist in enhancing overall cybersecurity posture. The aim of this session was to educate people on the risks so they can make educated decisions about their cybersecurity posture. A wide range of topics were discussed, including:
- QR codes: Scanning a QR code, and visiting the unknown URL, could open the user to risks and extraction of essential metadata.
- Travel Cybersecurity Precautions: A variety of best practices were given to protect people during their travels, including a deep dive on backing up data, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, and the essential role of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect data.
- Passwords: The presenter discussed four methods on how cyber threat actors get or use compromised passwords. She also provided methods to create a strong password and discussed the essential role of multi-factor authentication (MFA), noting the essential role of user identity.
- Social Engineering: Various types of social engineering were described, as well as how a social engineering attack works. The instructor gave a critical way to look at possible phishing emails – the SLAM method, which stands for S – Sender, L – Link, A – Attachment, and M – Message.
- Prevention Efforts: Attendees were advised on specific measures to prevent a cyberattack. These measures are cybersecurity policies, creation of a Cyber Incident Response Plan, and cybersecurity education specific to public safety.
Submitted by Megan Bixler
