North Dakota Launches Statewide Cybersecurity Campaign – “DefeND”

Since the pandemic began, attempted cyberattacks on state entities have been incessant, but North Dakota hopes to cut down on risk by spreading information about common threats to its entire population.

The North Dakota Information Technology Department (NDIT) has launched “DefeND,” a new statewide awareness campaign designed to educate North Dakotans about the dangers that lurk in cyberspace.

The campaign will run on TV and digital channels over the next several months and is designed to alert citizens to common threats and security mistakes, such as phishing, weak passwords, sharing personal information online and other vulnerabilities.

Officials hope the campaign’s hashtag — #BeCyberSmart — will have viral appeal for social media users, and that state residents will also visit a recently launched website to learn about basic security facts and tips.

“Make no mistake that cybercrime is not a little thing, and it’s not just something that might show up in a movie,” said Gov. Doug Burgum during a press conference Thursday. “It is now a multi-billion dollar illicit enterprise. Educating North Dakotans on this growing threat is a priority.”