ETC
state of the city
Ocala’s cyber-crime fighters
October is National Cyber Security Awareness month. With cybercrime on the rise throughout America and in the digital age, it is hard to remain vigilant about what is happening on the web. BY ASHLEY DOBBS
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With a department of 25 people, who specialize in areas such as infrastructure, security, applications and service, the IT department is a huge part of keeping the organization safe against unknown outside cyber-attacks. Providing employees with the tools and resources to understand cyber safety and the crimes that offenders commit is a priority for the city. Employees are trained year-round in a variety of cyber topics, most notably how to spot a possible threat, whether it’s through electronic devices or physical security. In addition to ensuring that staff is aware of possible threats, the IT department has engaged with the general public to help provide information that these types of issues can happen to anyone, anytime and are not limited to big business or government agencies. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The City of Ocala IT Department hosts workshops geared toward young people to senior citizens. Through after-school programs, topics of discussion include cyber bullying, talking to strangers online, social media safety and why it’s important that you don’t share personal information.
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Senior citizens often face a different set of challenges, and their courses are geared toward topics such as being aware of scams, identity theft and downloading only trustworthy information. While many of these workshops have been placed on hold due to COVID, the department is exploring options for virtual learning programs offered through the City’s Recreation and Parks Department in the future. HOW TO REMAIN PROTECTED At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you are a small business, large corporation or a local municipality, it’s important to recognize the red flags. Threats come in all forms, both electronically and physically. Keep your software systems up to date, check email addresses and URLs in your correspondence, be suspicious of unsolicited text messages,
and be apprehensive of anyone urging you to take immediate action. If you work for a business that requires electronic or key card access into a building, remain cautious that someone isn’t following closely behind you. The City of Ocala is fortunate to have a dedicated department that supports a safe electronic working environment. The IT staff continuously researches and implements plans to keep our systems running so employees can continue to serve our residents. As we celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness month, we appreciate the measures taken by staff to remain protected not only in our professional lives, but also providing insight to the public to keep them safe in their daily lives. Ashley Dobbs is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the City Of Ocala.
Photos courtesy of The City of Ocala
ut how does cybercrime affect businesses and government agencies, and what techniques can be implemented to mitigate the risks? Remaining aware of the dangers is step number one; but having an entire team protect the important information transmitted every day is also equally important, which is why the Information and Technology (IT) Department within the City of Ocala works diligently to create a safe environment for employees, business owners and citizens who trust us with their information.
