As National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2016 came to a close at the end of October, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) turned its attention to National Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month in November.

DHS points out that the essential services that underlie daily life in American society – our roads, bridges, power grids, water systems, and communication networks – are increasingly being run on digital networks. Sophisticated cybercriminals and nation-states pose a great risk to America’s critical infrastructure by exploiting vulnerabilities in cyberspace. And just as we all rely on critical infrastructure, we all play a role in keeping it strong, secure, and resilient.

National Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month provides a good opportunity to look at the connection between cyber and physical security. Small actions by individual citizens can have a large impact on preventing cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. By incorporating basic cyber best practices into daily routines, like using strong authentication, installing updates on mobile device, and limiting the amount of personal information you share online; we can help defend our nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

DHS provides is a Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month 2016 Toolkit that provides resources for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. The toolkit includes suggested activities that governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and community organizations can take to participate in Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month. Resources include discussion points for government leaders, steps to start evaluating a cybersecurity program, and a list of hands-on resources. The toolkit also includes templates and drafts of newsletter articles, blogs, and other collateral material for use in outreach efforts.

For more information on National Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, visit the DHS website.