October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a national initiative since 2004. For more than two decades, this month has served as a reminder of the importance of staying safe online, as our daily lives become more interconnected and reliant on technology. The month of October focuses on equipping individuals, families and businesses with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves from online threats.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department plays an important role in the fight against cybercrime, staying active in preventing, investigating and responding to cyber incidents in the Lexington County community. As we mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, LCSD wants to provide residents with valuable tips on how to protect themselves online, as well as share how local law enforcement is involved in cybersecurity efforts.

LCSD’S ROLE IN CYBERSECURITY

While individuals can take steps to protect themselves, law enforcement agencies such as Lexington County Sheriff’s Department are on the front lines, ensuring cybercriminals are held accountable. In today’s world, cybercrime can range from identity theft and financial fraud to child exploitation, and LCSD is committed to detecting, investigating and prosecuting these digital offenses. In particular, LCSD focuses on:

• Investigating cybercrimes: From fraud to cyberstalking, LCSD investigates a range of online offenses that affect our community. Cybercrimes often cross borders, requiring collaboration between local, state and federal agencies to bring offenders to justice.
• Training for cyber threats: As criminals use more sophisticated digital tools, law enforcement must stay ahead by adopting new technologies and practices. LCSD officers receive regular cybersecurity training, ensuring they have the skills to track cybercriminals and protect residents.
• Prosecuting cyber offenders: Successfully prosecuting cybercriminals is critical in reducing cyber threats. LCSD works with the judicial system to ensure those responsible for cybercrimes are brought to justice.

FOUR WAYS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

The digital world offers convenience but introduces risks like theft, fraud and online exploitation. Taking proactive steps to protect your online presence is essential.

1. Use strong passwords: Strong passwords are among the best defenses against hackers. Ensure your passwords are long, unique and random. Including a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols helps make your password harder to crack. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites to reduce the risk of being compromised.
2. Enable multifactor authentication: Multifactor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts by requiring more than just a password. It often involves entering a code sent to your phone or using an authentication app. Enabling this on your accounts significantly reduces the likelihood of being hacked.
3. Recognize and report phishing: Phishing scams continue to grow more sophisticated. Be cautious of unsolicited messages, especially those asking for personal information or urging you to click suspicious links. If you encounter phishing attempts, report them to the appropriate authority and delete the message.
4. Update your software: Keeping your software up-to-date ensures you have the latest security patches. Outdated software can have vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. If automatic updates are not available, regularly check for new updates to protect your devices from new threats.

Cybercrime can happen to anyone, but with vigilance, education and law enforcement’s active involvement, we can reduce the risk and keep our digital world safe. 

For more information on cybersecurity and how we are growing a team to help protect our community, please visit our website.