R 151153Z SEP 17
MARADMIN 549/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2017 NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH 1 – 31 OCT//
POC/AMANDA L. ANDERSON/CAPT/UNIT: MARFORCYBER/EMAIL: AMANDA.L.ANDERSON@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The moment you log on to a Marine Corps network you are entering the cyber battlespace.  As Marines, we understand the actions required to achieve superiority in a physical battlespace.  In order to fight and win in the cyber battlespace, we must apply the same principles.
2.  Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity to the nation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cybersecurity Alliance have designated October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.  This year marks the 14th annual iteration of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity and increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident.
3.  Cybersecurity is one of the United States' most important national security priorities and every individual has a role to play.  Cyberspace is a contested environment.  Our military and civilian computer systems are under constant attack from a variety of sources.  While we have Marines and Civilian Marines dedicated to our defense, this alone does not make us safe from attack.  Cybersecurity is the responsibility of all Marines, Sailors, and Civilian Marines operating on a Marine Corps network, our cyber battlespace.  Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.
4.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading U.S. government efforts on raising cybersecurity awareness with the 7th anniversary of the "Stop. Think. Connect." campaign, designed to inform citizens of the dangers posed by cyber threats and to provide the tools needed to confront them.  You are encouraged to take this opportunity to learn more about the cybersecurity threat by visiting DHS’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month webpage (https:(slash)(slash)www.dhs.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-month) and the Department of Defense Cyber Strategy webpage (http:(slash)(slash)www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0415_Cyber-Strategy).
5.  Our adversaries are not constrained by the Law of Armed Conflict and will seek to compromise you or your family members on any device or network.  All Marines are urged to take measures to decrease their susceptibility to malicious cyber activity both at work and at home.  This includes, but is not limited to:
  a.  Use of home anti-virus software.  The Defense Information Systems Agency provides free McAfee anti-virus downloads to active duty military and civilian employees (http:(slash)(slash)www.disa.mil/cybersecurity/network-defense/antivirus/home-use).
  b.  Use of multi-factor authentication.
  c.  Practicing responsible online behavior utilizing Operation Security and Personal Security.
  d.  Limiting the use of commercial webmail on MCEN workstations.
  e.  Immediately reporting phishing attempts.
  f.  Changing passwords on accounts every 30-60 days.
  g.  Never using the same password on multiple devices/accounts.
  h.  Maintaining strong command policies to limit cross domain violations.
  i.  Never using MCEN workstations to charge personal mobile devices.
  j.  Patching workstations and network devices in a timely manner.
6.  National Cybersecurity Awareness Month provides a dedicated month to highlight the importance of cybersecurity education both in our personal and professional lives; however, our focus and efforts to remain vigilant, increase our network resiliency, and practice responsible online behavior must continue far beyond this month.
7.  Release authorized by Major General Lori E. Reynolds, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command and Brigadier General Dennis A Crall, Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer/Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computers, Headquarters Marine Corps.//