At work, each of us conducts official business on behalf of the Postal Service™; however, vigilance doesn’t stop once we’re off the clock. In an increasingly connected world, USPS® employees must incorporate cybersecurity best practices at all times, whether we are at home or on the go.
For National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), the CyberSafe at USPS® team offers the following tips to protect USPS networks, systems, and resources.
n Defend yourself from phishing scams by being a SHARK:
n (S) Slow down. Be cautious when receiving “urgent” requests.
n (H) Hover. Hover over links to reveal the destination before clicking.
n (A) Ask questions. Is it too good to be true? Is this an unusual request?
n (R) Reach out. If something doesn’t seem right, verify the sender’s official address. If the sender seems suspicious, report the email to the CyberSafe team.
n (K) Keep sensitive information private. Never share sensitive information based on email requests.
n Create strong passwords. When setting passwords, use a passphrase and change specific letters into special characters or numbers. Add a unique identifier to differentiate passwords (e.g. “B3_Cyb3rS*f3_w0^k”), and don’t repeat passwords across separate accounts.
n Separate for security. Never connect your personal or work devices to USPS computers, equipment, or networks. If you need to charge a device, use an outlet.
n Stay CyberSafe at home. Protect yourself and your family by using secure networks, setting strong and unique passwords, guarding your finances, and protecting your mobile devices.
n Be CyberSafe on the road. When traveling abroad, do not bring USPS-issued electronic devices unless you have authorization to do so. Request authorization and an international VPN at eaccess.usps.gov/pls/eaccessnp/sso_std.sso_welcome. Always keep your electronic devices with you or secure them in a safe when not in use. Avoid public Wi-Fi hotspots and charging station USB ports.
Cybersecurity is our shared responsibility — it starts with you, no matter where you are. Protect yourself, your family, and Postal Service networks against cyberattacks with the following resources:
n For more information about NCSAM, visit the NCSAM page on Blue at blue.usps.gov/cyber.
n For best practices on cybersecurity, visit the CyberSafe at USPS sites on Blue (blue.usps.gov/cyber) and LiteBlue (liteblue.usps.gov/cyber), or the public-facing website at uspscybersafe.com.
n To report a cybersecurity incident, send an email to CyberSafe@usps.gov or call 877-876-2455.
— Corporate Information Security Office,
Chief Information Security Officer
and Digital Solutions, 10-11-18
