[EAS] EAS related - October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

[Botterell, Arthur@CalOES]

Good message, Ed!  I'd like add that a significant number of Emergency Operations Centers and/or Dispatch Centers have EAS encoder/decoders of their own but may not have technical folks keeping them updated.  I'd like to encourage LECCs everywhere to take inventory of such installations and help them keep their gear up-to-date.  Right after changing default passwords, keeping EAS firmware up to date is probably the next most important thing we can do to maintain system security. 

Art

Art Botterell
Senior Emergency Services Coordinator
Response Division, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
M: (916) 832-4229
O: (916) 636-3872

-----Original Message-----
From: eas-bounces at radiolists.net [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Ed Czarnecki

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month.  A good time to remind colleagues to protect their critical station equipment, like EAS devices. (1) ALWAYS use this equipment behind a good firewall. (2) ALWAYS change your default passwords.  

I'm thinking of this, since a lot of low power stations have come on line over the past couple of months.  Not to pick on them, but not all have been fully attentive to good network architectures (like using firewalls for EAS devices, STLs, etc. or having a firewall at all!).  

As a community, it would be useful if we all can outreach to our colleagues to make sure they get the message:  "these are simple steps, but if even one is missing, you could be putting your station or even the public at risk ."

Those most likely to not be pursuing good cyber security hygiene are also probably not on this email list.

Edward Czarnecki, PhD
Senior Director - Strategy  & Global Government Affairs
MONROE ELECTRONICS
585-765-2254 ext. 122 | fax 585-765-9330 Reston VA | Lyndonville NY
 <http://www.digitalalertsystems.com/> www.digitalalertsystems.com