USARAK Battalion encourages families to Stop, Think and Connect

Photo By Sachel Harris | Families gather in the Frontier Theater to attend the family cyber seminar Oct. 26, 2015, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The event helped to wrap up Cyber Security Month, a monthlong observance designated in October by President Barack Obama to help increase awareness about cyber security and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. (U.S. Army photo/Sachel Harris)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

10.26.2015

Story by Sachel Harris 

United States Army Alaska

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 59th Signal Battalion recently hosted its first family cyber seminar in the Frontier Theater here.

The event helped to wrap up Cyber Security Awareness Month, a month-long observance designated in October by President Obama to help increase awareness about cyber security and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. This year’s theme is “Stop. Think. Connect.”

An Army Criminal Investigator, whose name is withheld for security reasons, was on hand to discuss topics such as geo-tagging, setting parental controls and oversharing personal information on social media.

“Anything a stranger wouldn’t know from a general introduction, shouldn’t be shared on social media,” the investigator emphasized.

Lt. Col. James Chastain, 59th Signal Battalion Commander, added that it’s important for parents to understand how to protect their children in today’s world. His hope is that each family leaves each session more educated and empowered.

“Everybody is a target for cybercrime and most of the time, protecting your system comes down to simple changes and awareness called cyber awareness,”said the commander. “Cyber bullying and sexting are on the rise and knowing how to protect your kids by identifying the signs and doing things such as enabling the security features on your home network can keep you safe.”

The battalion will be hosting cyber security every quarter on JBER and it is open to all military families.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2015
• Date Posted: 10.29.2015 14:48
• Story ID: 180343
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US