One of my early elementary school memories is weirdly cybersecurity related. In second or third grade, we were asked to set up our own logins for our assigned computers in the computer lab. We were given parameters and then immediately asked to turn those passwords in to our computer teacher.
There began my first lesson in cybersecurity. Making the password difficult, memorable, and unique is good cybersecurity behavior. Of course, then my teacher immediately asked us to share those passwords — probably the worst cybersecurity behavior.
Passwords are the gateway to our digital world, and therefore the most fundamental element of cybersecurity. According to David Young, who serves as the Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Kansas, there are several things we can do to improve our cybersecurity to better protect our businesses.
Critical to national security
“The Midwest is not immune from threats,” detailed Young at the recent Kansas Dairy Conference held in Manhattan, Kansas. Young has concerns about important food and agriculture infrastructure that keep the country’s food supply safe, and that begins with how we protect our businesses.
“All critical infrastructure is inherently fragile. Why? Because you run on thin margins,” Young detailed. In his role as Executive Director of the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center, Young said his team analyzes many cybersecurity threats, and many of them target personal data as an entry point into businesses and industries. For that reason, he emphasized the importance of password use and updating.
- Use strong passwords (16 characters – a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters) on computers, linked devices, and home/work Wi-Fi
- Use multi-factor authentication
- Frequently update your operating software and apps (weekly), and hardware firmware (at least quarterly)
- Do not use the same password for everything
- Lock devices with pin, fingerprint, or facial recognition
Young shared that following the first three suggestions alone will address a majority of cybersecurity threats.
The author is a dairy farmer in Kansas and a former associate editor at Hoard’s Dairyman. Raised on a 150-cow dairy near Valley Center, Kansas, Maggie graduated from Kansas State University with degrees in agricultural communications and animal sciences.
