The FBI Honolulu Field Office has initiated a cybersecurity awareness campaign aimed at educating businesses and organizations in Hawaii about the increasing threat of cyberattacks. The campaign emphasizes the importance of establishing a proactive relationship with the FBI Honolulu to better combat malicious cyber activity. FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill encourages private sector entities to partner with the FBI in protecting the country’s cyber defenses and strengthening their own response plans against cyberattacks. The campaign highlights key cyber threats, including critical infrastructure attacks, ransomware, and supply chain attacks, and provides preventive steps to enhance cybersecurity practices. Effective communication with the FBI is emphasized to aid in data recovery efforts in the event of a cyber incident.
Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign
The FBI Honolulu Field Office has launched a cybersecurity awareness campaign with the purpose of educating private sector businesses and organizations in Hawaii about the growing threat of cyberattacks. The campaign also aims to encourage businesses to establish a proactive relationship with the FBI Honolulu before a cyber incident occurs. By doing so, organizations can strengthen their response plans against cyberattacks and better protect themselves from potential threats.
Target Audience
The target audience of the cybersecurity awareness campaign is private sector businesses and organizations in Hawaii. This includes both large corporations and small businesses that may be targets of cyberattacks.
Importance of Cybersecurity
The importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated, especially in today’s digital age. Private sector organizations control critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal data, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Additionally, nation-state threats pose a significant danger, given their persistence, sophistication, and potential for destructive intent.
One specific threat that has been on the rise is ransomware attacks. These attacks involve malicious software that encrypts a victim’s data, and the attacker demands a ransom payment in exchange for unlocking the data. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly targeted, with higher ransom demands in recent years. The impact of these attacks on critical infrastructure, such as emergency services, hospitals, and the energy sector, is of great concern.
Supply chain attacks are another area of vulnerability for organizations. A business’s cybersecurity is only as strong as that of its trusted vendors. Criminals may target supply chains to gain access to a company’s network, further highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Benefits of Partnering with FBI Honolulu
Partnering with FBI Honolulu offers several benefits to private sector businesses and organizations in Hawaii. By collaborating with the FBI, organizations gain access to agents, analysts, and computer scientists specialized in tracking and countering cyber threats. This expertise can help organizations strengthen their response plans against cyberattacks.
Additionally, partnering with the FBI allows for collaboration with other law enforcement and cybersecurity partners throughout the state. This collaboration creates a force multiplier effect, enhancing the overall cyber defenses of the country. Furthermore, working closely with the FBI can accelerate data recovery efforts in case of ransomware incidents and help prevent future attacks through knowledge sharing.
Current Cyber Threats
The cybersecurity awareness campaign addresses three current cyber threats: critical infrastructure attacks, ransomware, and supply chain attacks.
Critical infrastructure attacks are a significant concern due to the private sector’s control over critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal data. Nation-state threats are particularly worrisome because of their persistence, sophistication, and potential for destructive intent. Ransomware attacks have already targeted U.S. critical infrastructure, including emergency services, hospitals, and the energy sector. Finally, supply chain attacks highlight the importance of rapid notification to preserve evidence and recover networks.
Preventive Steps
To protect against cyber threats, organizations are encouraged to take several preventive steps. These steps include:
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Update and patch operating systems and software regularly to ensure the latest security updates are in place.
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Implement robust access controls, especially for privileged users who have access to sensitive systems and data.
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Monitor security logs to detect any suspicious activity and respond promptly to potential threats.
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Audit trusted third parties and others who have access to systems and sensitive data to ensure their cybersecurity measures are up to par.
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Require personnel to choose strong, unique passwords for each account and use multifactor authentication whenever possible. Regularly changing passwords is also recommended.
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Educate personnel about phishing schemes to raise awareness of the risks associated with clicking on suspicious links, opening suspicious attachments, or visiting suspicious websites.
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Keep offline backups of data and regularly test backup and restoration capabilities. All backup data should be encrypted and immutable to prevent unauthorized access.
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Develop a cybersecurity incident response plan that includes the FBI. In the event of a compromise, organizations should contact the FBI immediately for assistance.
By following these preventive steps, organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and minimize the risk of cyberattacks.
How to Contact FBI Honolulu
If businesses and organizations in Hawaii need to contact the FBI Honolulu Field Office, they can do so through the following channels:
- Phone: (808) 566-4300
- Email: cywatch@fbi.gov
Additionally, specific types of incidents can be reported through the following platforms:
- Reporting internet crimes: www.ic3.gov
- Reporting suspicious criminal activity: tips.fbi.gov
By utilizing these contact channels, organizations can access the expertise and support of the FBI Honolulu in addressing cyber threats and protecting their assets.