CHATTANOOGA, TN -- In an age of ever-increasing digital connection, online data security is more important than ever. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Chattanooga State Community College reminds students and the community to follow best practices when using the internet. 

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlights four essential practices to improve online safety: 

• Recognize & report phishing emails: These deceptive messages attempt to steal personal information. Stay alert and always verify the source before clicking on any links. 
• Use strong passwords: A complex, unique password is the first line of defense against unauthorized access. 
• Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA): Adding an extra step to log in can significantly reduce the risk of a breach. 
• Update software regularly: Keeping devices and applications up to date ensures you are protected against the latest vulnerabilities. 

ChattState’s Center for Cyber Defense Education and Outreach provides additional online safety tips and resources. 

For those looking to start an exciting career that focuses on using technology to help others, Chattanooga State Community College’s Cyber Defense Concentration is the perfect choice. 

The two-year Cyber Defense concentration prepares students for careers as information systems security specialists, operating systems security specialists, applications security specialists, information assurance security specialists, and more. Graduates will be prepared to work in healthcare, financial services, insurance, education, and more. 

After graduating from ChattState, alumnus Nick Jung went on to pursue a career in cybersecurity, working both at Erlanger Hospital and Converge Technology Solutions. As a Cybersecurity Solutions Architect, Jung now works to help protect companies’ and individuals’ data. 

Jung is paying it forward to help ensure cybersecurity students find success both in college and after graduation. He established a scholarship through the Chattanooga State Foundation for cybersecurity students to help ensure others have easy access to an affordable education and career opportunities. 

“There were a couple of younger students whom I tried to help mentor while I was in school,” he said. “I helped push them in the right direction. That gave me that passion to want to give back and try to help other people.”