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October 5, 2023
Dear Subscriber,
Since 2004, the month of October is designated as “Cybersecurity Awareness Month”. In recognition of the 20th Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity and encourages individuals and businesses to collaborate on the implementation of cybersecurity protection measures.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) announced this year’s theme to be “Secure Our World”. CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) promote four key cybersecurity behaviors throughout October:
- Create Strong Passwords and a use a Password Manager
- Turn on Multifactor Authentication
- Recognize and Report Phishing
- Update your Software
The MPA is fully committed to following established proactive policies and procedures intended to protect critical computing infrastructure, services, and software that support our valued Port of Baltimore business partners, tenants, and users.
User cybersecurity awareness is a critical component of the cybersecurity protection strategy. Phishing and social engineering attacks are on the rise, and this trend will continue in the foreseeable future. Despite our defenses, these kinds of attacks will eventually reach every single user at least once. Effective user awareness training is the main protection against these threats.
In the event of a cybersecurity incident, the MPA will follow current procedures to distribute timely and accurate information through safe communications channels. Our website www.marylandports.com will provide the most current information able to be disseminated. Our MPA e-broadcast network will email the latest information directly to you if it remains online and uncompromised. If you do not already receive these e-broadcasts, we strongly encourage you to subscribe: www.mpa.maryland.gov/Pages/pob-ebroadcast-messages.aspx
Incident related communications from the MPA will not include web links or attachments and will not request any form of payment nor personal or confidential information.
While the MPA is investing efforts and resources to prevent possible attacks and protect critical information systems and infrastructure, it is feasible for cyberattacks to break defenses and cause great harm. We will continue to work closely with you, our valued Port business partners, on further efforts to strengthen our systems and services from any type of disruption.
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