All about National Computer Security Day 2021

Every year, on 30th November, India observes National Computer Security Day, to raise public awareness about the necessity of computer security in our country. This day was first commemorated in 1988, when computers were slowly becoming popular in workplace but were yet to enter homes of the people. In fact, it was around the same time, towards the late 80s that business sectors, banks and governments started using computers for their day-to-day affairs, and internet was in its formative stages. 

History behind National Computer Security Day

India saw the inception of National Computer Security Day in 1988 right after ARPANET, the predecessor of internet suffered a malicious attack. This incident resulted in rendering 10% of connected computers faulty. Since then, the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) has been commemorating National Computer Security Day to create mass awareness about the need of cyber and online security in both our public and private lives.  

Significance of National Computer Security Day

As already mentioned above, National Computer Security Day was designed around the idea that cyber and online security are crucial to carry on with our digital lives. The day empowers individuals to ensure their own online security, safeguard their identities online and take complete ownership of their online presence.  

With so many spywares, illegal hackers, viruses and cyber criminals doing the rounds, the risk of security breaches have significantly gone up, which is why it has become imperative to be responsible for our own computer security with occasional assistance from resource centres like National Cyber Security Alliance.  

National Cyber Security Alliance advises people not to reuse their passwords more than once as it may give the hackers better chance of gaining access to their personal data. According to the Alliance, the best way to ensure national computer security is to educate people about the best and most secured cyber security practices to avoid them from being compromised.  

How is National Computer Security Day celebrated?

Every year, National Computer Security Day is celebrated through seminars, trivia contests, and cyber security training (includes learning about phishing tactics and possible detection of cyber threats). While government promotes positive and motivational messages on cyber security through social media and rallies, offices engage their IT professionals into healthy competitions where they are asked to resolve stimulated cyber-attacks. People are also encouraged to use stronger passwords and login ids with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. They are also encouraged to install cyber security software like antivirus apart from encryption and regular backing up of data.  

Theme of National Computer Security Day 2021

The theme of this year’s National Computer Security Day is “Cybersecure My Business” as announced by the National Cyber Security Alliance. The organization is also aiming at renaming this day to National Device Security Day as the world now spends more time on smartphones and other digital devices like tablets and laptops and is no longer limited to computers only.