All CAF And DND departments are mandated to forward good security practices, sharing them government-wide in the annual event held during the second week of Februray. (Image:supplied)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News

The Director General Defence Security (DGDS) is prompting the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND) to up the ante on office security practices in heed of Security Awareness Week (SAW) 2024.

“Security Beyond the Office” is promoted as the theme for SAW 2024, which runs from Feb. 5 to 9.

Department of National Defence Commissionaire, Dave Strickland of 1 Military Police Regiment, stated in correspondence on Feb. 1 that SAW is an excellent opportunity to increase employee awareness and promote departmental security.

Departments are mandated to forward good security practices, sharing them government-wide in the annual event held during the second week of the second month of the year.

Strickland stated remembering that everyday security measures keep everyone safe, adding tips:

• Remember to lock your computer screen when you leave your desk
• Do not plug personal devices into your DWAN computer
• Do not open links in emails that you are not familiar with
• Do not share government information with people/organizations that do not have a need to know and the security clearance for that information
• Practice safe travelling tips

The week is encouraging strong security practices no matter the work environment someone is in. Security Awareness Week will be hosted virtually and in person.

Security Services will be visiting the Base Units this year during the SAW to promote security and will be available to answer any security-related questions.

“We all need to do our part in keeping all members of our Defence Team secure through vigilance,” Strickland’s email stated.

For employees with access, the Security Awareness Training and Education section (SATE) will post various security-related topics on its Security Awareness Toolkit page, including videos, interviews/presentations on security issues from specialists, infographics, animation, and motion graphic video.

Security Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity to increase employee awareness and promote departmental security. Security awareness is a critical element of the departmental security program under the Policy on Government Security.