At work, each of us conducts official business on behalf of the Postal Service™, but vigilance should not stop once we are off the clock. In an increasingly connected world, USPS® employees must incorporate cybersecurity best practices at all times, whether we are in the office or at home.
This is especially important now that our homes have turned into offices due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Since many USPS employees have been affected by the expanded telework policy, 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.
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 cybersecurity, visit the CyberSafe at USPS sites on Blue (blue.usps.gov/cyber) and LiteBlue (liteblue.usps.gov/cyber).
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, 5-21-20
