RTI International Announces Commitment to Global Efforts Advocating for Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program aims to raise awareness of best practices for online safety and privacy

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, today announced its commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held annually in October, by signing up as a 2021 Champion and joining a growing global effort to promote online safety and privacy.

The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals committed to the Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme of ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’

“RTI is proud to join this effort to raise awareness about cyber threats and advocate for cybersecurity best practices,” said Bernice Bond, director of governance, risk, and compliance at RTI. “We recognize the importance of educating our staff about steps they can take to protect themselves and the institute. Everyone has to do their part to create a secure environment.”

RTI’s Global Technology Solutions (GTS) team constantly conducts risk assessments to ensure that data from the institute and its clients is secure. GTS also ensures that RTI is implementing leading security practices and educates staff about online safety through regular communications and required trainings.

This year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month will promote several best practices:

• Understanding and implementing basic cyber hygiene, including the importance of strong passphrases, using multi-factor authentication, performing software updates and backing up data
• Recognizing and reporting phishing attempts made through email, text messages or chat boxes
• Empowering individuals to practice safe online behavior and consider joining the mission of securing our online world by considering a career in cybersecurity
• Making cybersecurity a priority in business by making products and processes “secure by design” and considering cybersecurity when purchasing new internet-connected devices

The initiative is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Learn more about Cybersecurity Awareness Month

View list of 2021 Champion Organizations

About Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit www.staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month.

About National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a nonprofit alliance on a mission to create a more secure connected world.  We enable powerful, public-private partnerships in our mission to educate and inspire individuals to protect themselves, their families and their organizations for the collective good.  Our primary partners are the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and our Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AIG; Bank of America; Cofense; Discover; Eli Lilly and Company; ESET North America; Facebook; KnowBe4; La-Z-Boy; Lenovo; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft; Mimecast; NortonLifeLock; Paubox; Proofpoint; Raytheon; Terranova Security; US Bank; VISA; Wells Fargo. The National Cyber Security Alliance’s core efforts include Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); Identity Management Day; and CyberSecure My Business™. For more information on the National Cyber Security Alliance, please visit https://staysafeonline.org.

About RTI International
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach — one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.