BNSF News

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

2009-10-26

"Our Shared Responsibility" is the theme of the Sixth Annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The theme reminds all computer users of their responsibility to use good security practices to protect themselves and BNSF.

BNSF leverages many technological solutions to help protect BNSF computing environments. However, simple solutions that each and every member of the BNSF team can implement are often the most effective. Follow all BNSF security policies and these simple security practices below to protect yourself and BNSF.

• Best security practice: Lock your workstation manually by pressing the [CTRL] [ALT] [DELETE] [ENTER] keys whenever you leave it unattended - even if for just a few moments.
• Keep your user ID and password confidential. BNSF policy states that employees, contractors, consultants, vendors or customers with a login ID are personally responsible for all activity under their ID. Protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the data and systems to which you have access. Likewise, you should never attempt to gain unauthorized access to another computer.
• Use a strong password. A strong password is not easily guessed and usually contains a string of letters and numbers not found in the dictionary. Avoid using family names, birth dates, sports teams or words with numbers simply added to the beginning or end.
• Laptop users should either take their laptop home or ensure it is locked up securely in a cabinet or drawer. Never leave a laptop on your desk, even in a locked office.
• Laptops left in vehicles should be locked in the trunk or other safe compartment.
• Avoid carrying BNSF confidential electronic information on a CD, thumb drive or other portable media without using strong password protection.

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For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com