"Emerging cyber threats require engagement with the entire American community to create a cyber safe environment, you know, from government, law enforcement to the private sector and most importantly, the ordinary citizen," said Waldrep.
Often, cyber breaches come through phishing attacks. Phishing is when a cyber criminal sends an email under the guise of being a reputable organisation. The email will contain a link that, when opened, will compromise the security of the device and the server. To prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to sensitive information, people should practice having good"cyber hygiene." This can be having strong passwords, not clicking links from strangers and implementing two factor authentication.
"A lot of times around tax season, people will get calls from the IRS or claiming to be the IRS. What people need to understand is that the Social Security Administration, your bank or the IRS is not going to call you and ask you for your credentials they already have," said Waldrep.