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Created on Tuesday, 03 October 2017 15:48

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

IEMA encourages people to learn how to avoid cyber attacks

SPRINGFIELD – Most people spend several hours each day online for work, pleasure or both. The widespread usage of computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets offers countless opportunities to connect with information and people around the world. It also provides myriad opportunities for cyber criminals.

Governor Bruce Rauner has proclaimed October National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to highlight the importance of understanding and avoiding cyber risks. During October, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is joining with county and municipal emergency management agencies to increase awareness of online risks and provide tips on what people can do to prevent problems.

“Computers and mobile devices give us access to a wealth of information and help us connect with people near and far,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “Unfortunately, there are people out there who continuously seek ways to cause harm and create havoc through these devices. The best way to defend against cyber attacks is by arming yourself with information about the risks and learning steps you can take to reduce the chance of being a victim of cybercrime.”

Joseph said the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov provides links to information and tips to help people minimize the risk of being a cybercrime victim. Some of those tips include the following:

• Configure your computer securely Use privacy and security settings in your software, email system and web browsers. Regularly update your anti-virus software to identify and thwart new strains of malicious software.
• Keep software and operating systems updated Install all software updates as soon as they are offered; using the “auto update” setting is the best way to ensure timely updates.
• Use strong passwords Cybercriminals use automated programs that will try every word in the dictionary in a few minutes. When creating a password, use at least 10 characters, with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
• Be cautious about links and attachments Even communications you receive that appear to be from friends and family may contain links to malicious sites, so be careful when clicking on links in those messages. When in doubt, delete it.

“Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue – it is a public safety issue,” stated Kirk Lonbom, Interim Secretary at Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology. “The month of October provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of cybersecurity risks and promote online safety.

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Created on Wednesday, 20 September 2017 14:03

Illinois Residents Encouraged to Register for ‘The Great ShakeOut’ Earthquake Drill

 ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ Drill Set for October 19

SPRINGFIELD – On Oct. 19 at 10:19 a.m., millions of people in the U.S. and around the globe will take a few minutes to practice three simple actions that could save their lives during a major earthquake. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and municipal and county emergency management agencies are encouraging Illinois residents to drop, cover and hold on during The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.

“Earthquakes occur without warning, so it’s important to know what to do as soon as you feel the earth shake,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “With two seismic zones in southern Illinois and residents who travel throughout the world, it’s important that everyone knows how to stay safe during an earthquake. The drill takes only a few minutes, but the lessons learned could save your life.”

The Great ShakeOut drill centers around the drop, cover and hold on actions: drop down to the ground, take cover under a table or other piece of heavy furniture, and then hold on until the shaking stops.

In October 2016, nearly 500,000 Illinoisans took part in the ShakeOut drill. To date, more than 300,000 people in Illinois are registered for this year’s event.

Some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever occur in the U.S. happened in the winter of 1811-12 in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which reaches into southwestern Illinois. That series of earthquakes lasted for several months and shaking was felt as far away as the East Coast. A similar earthquake today could cause catastrophic damage in a region that is much more developed and populated than in the early 1800s.  

Schools, businesses, government agencies, families and others can register to participate in the drill at www.shakeout.org/centralus. Registered participants will receive additional information about the drill and earthquake preparedness. While the international drill will take place on Oct. 19, individual drills can be conducted anytime within two weeks of that date.

Additional information about the earthquake risk in Illinois and steps to take before, during and after an earthquake is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov. 

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Created on Friday, 01 September 2017 15:46

IEMA Joins Nationwide Campaign to Encourage
Disaster Preparedness

‘Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” is Theme for National Preparedness Month in September

SPRINGFIELD – September is National Preparedness Month and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is joining with emergency management agencies throughout the state and across the U.S. to encourage people to spend a few moments during the month on disaster preparedness.

The campaign’s theme Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can. urges people to set aside time to discuss emergency plans with family members and develop a plan to stay safe when disaster strikes. The goal of this annual preparedness push is to increase personal and community disaster preparedness throughout the U.S.

“We never know when the next disaster will strike, but there are actions we can take to be better prepared for the unexpected,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “As we are seeing with Hurricane Harvey, even an expected weather event can have unexpected devastating consequences.” 

Throughout September, IEMA will offer tips and information on how to develop a family emergency communication plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, as well as ways to receive critical emergency warnings.
 
IEMA offers disaster preparedness information on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov), a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during and after disasters. 

In addition, throughout September IEMA will post daily preparedness tips on the Ready Illinois Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (@ReadyIllinois).

During disasters, IEMA uses the Ready Illinois website, Facebook and Twitter pages to provide critical information about the incident, including shelter locations, road closures, safety information, photos and more.

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Created on Friday, 01 September 2017 08:06

How to Help Disaster Survivors in Texas

The compassion and generosity of the American people is never more evident than during and after a disaster. As many Illinoisans seek ways to help survivors of this heartbreaking disaster, here is some important information to ensure your support is most helpful to those in need.

• The most effective way to support disaster survivors in their recovery is to donate money and time to trusted, reputable, voluntary or charitable organizations. This allows these organizations to obtain needed resources nearer to the disaster location, which reduces transportation costs and helps boost the local economy in the disaster-impacted area.
• Donate through a trusted relief organization. The Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters has a list of vetted disaster relief organizations at http://txvoad.communityos.org/cms/node/104. A list of approved national organizations can be found on the National Volunteers Active in Disasters website at https://www.nvoad.org/.
• Please do not donate unsolicited goods, such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, etc. Unless specifically requested, these may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
• The state of Texas is asking volunteers to not self-deploy, as unexpectedly showing up to any of the communities that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey will create an additional burden for first responders. Potential volunteers are asked to register to volunteer with community- and faith-based organizations working in the field. Lists of those organizations can be found at http://txvoad.communityos.org/cms/node/104 and https://www.nvoad.org/.

It’s important to remember that recovery from a disaster of this magnitude will take months, even years. So, too, will the need for generosity from caring Americans.