Maine DWP Update: Cybersecurity Awareness Month - Week 3

 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Week 3

 

Greetings, Welcome to Week 2 of Cybersecurity Awareness Month!  This week, we're focusing on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).  Credit to Maine Office of Information Technology (Maine OIT) for this message and accompanying newsletter.

Water utilities are facing a very real, very serious threat.  Cybercrime and terrorism affects even small utilities, putting the health and safety of consumers at risk.  Constant vigilance, and strong security elements like multi-factor identification, are essential to lessen that risk.  Don’t think it could happen to you?  Click here to learn how foreign operatives infiltrated Littleton Massachusetts’ Electric and Water Utility by hacking their SCADA, putting 10,000 people in jeopardy (2-minute excerpt from 60 Minutes, CBS).

Here’s what you need to know:

Why Multi-Factor Authentication Matters

     •  Enhanced Security:  
        MFA adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, making it much harder
        for unauthorized users to gain access.

     •  Common Practice: While it may be familiar to some, others may not yet be
        using MFA in their everyday account practices.

How MFA Works

     •  Two or More Factors:
        MFA requires you to provide two or more verification methods —something
        you know (like a password), something you have (like a smartphone), or
        something you are (like a fingerprint).

     •  Improved Defense: Even if your password is compromised, MFA significantly
        reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Action Steps

     •  Enable MFA:  For personal accounts like your banking, email, or social media,
        follow the instructions in this week’s attached newsletter to set up MFA.

     •  Be Patient:  MFA might add a few extra seconds to your log-in process, but
        it’s well worth the added security.

Learn More

     •  Check Out This Week’s Newsletter:  Attached is your guide on enabling and
        using MFA, including details on how it works and how to set it up.
        

• Cybersecurity Awareness Month Week 3 Multi-Factor Authentication Newsletter.pdf

     •  Questions?  Feel free to reach out at security.training@maine.gov.

 

Stay secure and let’s continue strengthening our defenses!

Best regards,
Joshua Laufer
Cybersecurity and Resilience Coordinator
Maine CDC Drinking Water Program
Maine Department of Health and Human Services