Broadcaster Press 13 October 25, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Weekly Column: Fair Focuses On USD Employee Benefits October Is Cyber Security Awareness Month By David Lias david.lias@plaintalk.net By Sen. Mike Rounds The Internet is a platform on which many of us live our daily lives. Some of us share personal thoughts and photos on social media, we send emails to communicate with our families, colleagues and friends, and we even manage our bank accounts and financial transactions online. Some of us put our credit card information, home addresses, passwords and even social security numbers online. While technology has made our lives easier and more convenient, it also poses a serious threat as hackers increasingly find ways to access this information. In 2015 alone, nearly half of U.S. adults had their personal information exposed by hackers. With all the sensitive information we put online, it is important to always remain mindful of the possibility that a computer hacker may target you and attempt to compromise your online accounts and personal information. Hackers will target vulnerable accounts. They don’t care if it’s a government server, a personal computer or smartphone or a server from a big corporation. The federal government experienced a massive cyber breach in 2015 that compromised the personal information of nearly 22 million federal employees. The Department of Homeland Security has dubbed the month of October “National Cyber Security Awareness Month” to encourage Americans to protect online accounts from harmful cyber-attacks. There are a few tips we can use to protect ourselves from a cyber hack. First, it’s important to use strong passwords and avoid using the same password for multiple websites and online accounts. Make sure to lock your smartphone and Employees of the University of South Dakota had an opportunity to learn some important tips about the future, including their eventual retirement, at the USD Employee Benefits/Wellness Fair, held Oct. 17 in the Muenster University Center. “Employees are given an opportunity to ask questions of some of the vendors that they might have benefits with, and also, it gives them an opportunity to see what we all have to offer, and potentially they might sign up for that benefit when we have open enrollment,” said Katie Carter of USD’s Human Resources Department. “It gives employees a chance to ask ‘what if’ questions, and have the vendors sell their products to them and get them enrolled with their programs.” “It’s more of that face-to-face interaction, if you will, which is sometimes just easier versus trying to go online and trying to figure out what the question is, and where is my answer,” said Sharon Myers, also of the university’s Human Resources Department. “Sometimes, when you’re online,62you jump Book as from link to link, you end up asking yourself if you’re getting the answers you really need to make a good deciSudoku #1 sion about a benefit.” “We also invited several of the USD 6 departments here on campus to participate, such as Dental Hygiene and the 1 7 Wellness Center, just so that employees could have an opportunity to3 what hear 2 they have to offer,” Carter said. “I think a lot of our employees know that they 8 4 5 exist, but maybe don’t know what all there is out there that they could get 3 involved in with those different departments.” Businesses and organizations that had booths set up9 the fair to allow at that important face-to-face communication included AFLAC, the Bureau of 1 Human Resources, Community Credit Counseling LLS, DakotaCare, Department of Social Services,2 Delta Dental, 1 Health Management Partners, Horace Mann, New York Life Insurance, South Dakota Retirement System, SDRS Supplemental Retirement Plan, Risty Benefits, Sanford Profile, Vermillion Sudoku #3 Chamber and Development Company, Discovery Benefits, VALIC, USD Child5 care/Head Start, USD Wellness Center, USD Dental Hygiene and USD Depart7 4 1 ment of Communication Sciences and Disorders. computer when you’re not using them. If you receive a suspicious email, do not open any links or attachments that it may contain and delete the message immediately. You should also be cautious if you get a phone call or email from someone claiming to be a friend, family member or IRS representative asking for you to wire them money. Lastly, avoid accessing online banking accounts or other sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi or from a public computer, as hackers can more easily access your information when you’re on a public network that is not secure. Protecting our personal accounts from a cyber-attack is important, but we also must recognize the significant effects of a cyber-attack on our national infrastructure. An attack on our air traffic control towers, our dam systems, electrical grid or the New York Stock Exchange, for example, could result in a national security crisis. It could also dramatically impact our economy if we lose confidence in our financial institutions’ ability to transact business in a secure manner. In the Senate, I continue to work on cyber policy to make sure attacks like that are prevented, and that bad actors face consequences if they perpetrate such an attack. During the month of October, I encourage all South Dakotans to take extra steps to protect themselves online. National Cyber Security Awareness Month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the damage that can be caused by a cyberattack and do everything we can to prevent it from happening. We can’t stop all attacks from happening, but we can take measures to help protect ourselves from cyber criminals that wish to do us harm. David Lias/For the Plain Talk The USD Employee Benefits/Wellness Fair gave university employees a chance to interact face-to-face with representatives of a variety of businesses and services. lowed by a presentation titled “SDRS – Some of the organizations at the fair On the Road to Financial Success.” are part of the State of South Dakota “We also offer employees the Employee Benefits Program. chance, if they have some individual The booths were located in the South Dakota Retirement System ballroom of the Muenster University questions, to sign up for one-on-one Center. Intermediate Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad meetings with a SDRS representative,” “Our dental insurance is through Carter said. Delta Dental, so they’re represented This is the first employee benefits/ here,” Carter said. “Also, the Bureau of Sudoku #2 wellness fair held at the university. Human Resources is here, which over“People are spending about 30 to 40 sees all of our benefits, and they are 5 5 various financial institutions here, too, 7 minutes in the ballroom, asking quesfor financial planning and life insurance. tions and talking with people at the 8 2 6 The South Dakota Retirement System is 4 various booths,” Myers said. “I think that’s a nice amount of time.” also here.” 1 4 7 2 “We also threw a couple of ‘fun’ ones 1 “The plan is to continue offering this once a year, because benefits are in there, too, like Sanford Profile,” Myever-changing, especially5 7 with everyers said, “and the Vermillion Chamber thing that’s happening with government is here. We’ve had a lot of good com8 8 4 and with health care,” Carter said. “It’s ments about the Chamber being here. just kind of nice to let everyone review It gives people a chance to hear about 7 the 3 9 7 everything once a year.” some of4 upcoming things that are happening within the community.” 6 5 6 Several presentations were also 5 9 1 scheduled throughout the day, specific 6 8 1 to retirement7 financial planning. and 4 Programs offered Monday morning included “Under9 2 standing 2008 KrazyDad.com © Your South © 2008 KrazyDad.com Dakota Retirement System Benefits,” roadcaster ress and “South Dakota Fill the puzzle so that every row, every column, and every Retirement System section contain the numbers 1-9 without repeating a number. (SDRS) SuppleSudoku #4 mental Retirement Plan.” 6 8 2 6 The first program was repeated 9 7 5 4 early Monday afternoon, fol9 3 bpp b Since 1934 Since 1934 bp Broadcaster O’Connor 2 9 4 1 2 2 5 5 4 1 9 4 • Lathe • Presses • Break • Welding • Portable Welding • Tree Removal/Cutting 9 3 5 Broadcaster Press Deadline for the 3 2 1 4 8 9 1 4 8 5 November 22nd issue will6 be Sudoku #3 Thursday, November 17th 1 2 6 4 5 3 8 7 at 118AM 2 1 5 9 3 for all display and 6 1 8 classified5ads. 4 2 6 4 5 7 9 6 7 7 9 4 7 3 2 9 6 5 6 7 8 1 9 7 3 5 7 1 6 3 9 3 8 2 5 4 6 1 2 7 3 9 7 9 5 6 4 8 3 8 4 5 1 2 605-624-3200 8 2 9 6 7 1 4 8 5 3 1 2 7 9 6 2 4 2 4 Broadcaster Press Deadline for the November 29th issue will be Wednesday, November 23rd Sudoku #5 1 3 7 at 11 AM 3 6 8 4 2 6 5 9 7 1 for all display and 4 9 8 8ads. classified 6 5 2 • Rent adjusted to your income • Large 2 & 3 Bedroom units w/ A/C • Large Closets - one is walk-in • Off - Street parking • On-site coin laundry • Playground equipment • Just blocks from Campus, High School & Prentis Park 5 8 9 4 6 4 7 2 2 7 9 1 1 5 3 3 9 3 6 5 2 7 1 1 8 5 4 3 6 2 4 9 8 6 7 3 5 3 2 1 8 9 5 6 5 6 7 1 4 2 9 8 4 7 9 1 2 4 7 3 8 Our offices will be closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25th to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. 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Paid for by Alexis Tracy for State's Attorney Press 5 4 Sudoku #2 3 8 7 1 3 1 Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad 2 1 1 8 © 2008 KrazyDad.com 9 3 1 Press roadcaster 6 6 Early Deadlines Machine Shop Services 4 Since 1934 3 5 6 bp B Since 1934 6 2 6 5 8 8 2 Book 62: Answers 5 Sudoku #1 6 5 6 4 7 1 9 1 7 31 8 2 7 3 7 8 3 8 9 6 7 1 2 7 5 2 4 886 4 3 9 6 7 1 2 8 1 8 3 5 8 Broadcaster Press P B 8 4 5 3 9 7 2 7 1 6 3 5 6 9 4 8 6 2 5 8 9 3 4 7 1 1 6 3 5 2 6 3 4 8 7 5 8 4 2 9 1 1 9 7 8 6 4 8 4 2 9 5 3 3 5 6 7 1 2 7 1 9 3 4 8 4 2 5 1 7 6 INTERMEDIATE 6 3 8 5 2 9 9 7 5 9 3 2 6 5 Last Tuesday’s Sudoku Solution #4 3 2 9 7 1 8 5 4 6 5 3 2 9 7 7 1 8 5 4 6 2 1 9 2 8 7 3 4 6 4 3 1 9 5 8 8 5 7 4 6 2 3 2 3 6 9 8 7 1 9 8 1 2 5 4 6 5 7 4 6 3 1 9 7 9 © 2008 KrazyDad.com IN BOOK 62 #4 su do ku 6 KRAZYDAD.COM/PUZZLES 8 4 1 9 3 6 5 7 2 1 9 5 4 3 7 2 8 © 2008 KrazyDad.com Check next Tuesday’s paper for the solution to today’s puzzle. EA BOOK 62 #4 Sudoku #6 4 8 2 1 6 7 5 3 9 1 7 5 3 9 2 4 8 6 3 9 6 8 4 5 1 7 2 6 4 8 5 3 9 2 1 7 7 2 3 4 1 8 6 9 5 9 5 A 1story about rehabilitation work currently being 7 2 6 3 4 8 2 6 4 9 8 1 7 5 3 done to the surface of Cherry Street in Vermillion. 5 3 9 6 7 4 8 2 1 8 1 7 2 5 3 9 6 4 Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A report and photos of the Pride of Vermillion High School Marching Band and the top honors they received Sudoku #8 Oct. 4 1 at9 the 7 2 State Marching Competition, 15 Quad 8 3 6 5 held in 2 7 4 6 5 8 1 3 9 the DakotaDome. 1 8 9 2 7 3 5 6 4 A report 3and photos detailing the successful fundraising 7 5 2 4 6 9 8 1 4 9 1 5 8 3 2 6 efforts of the7 Theta Omega Chapter of the ESA, as they 9 4 5 7 8 3 6 presented1their2 second annual “She Said Yes to the Dress” 9bridal fashion 2 1 8to raise revenue for the American 4 3 7 6 5 show 6 2 8 9 3 1 7 4 5 Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. 5 1 7 8 2 4 6 9 3 Profiles of District 17 legislative candidates, who answered questionnaires provided by the Plain Talk. And if you want to see: Stories and photos from last Thursday’s POD exercise held on the University of South Dakota campus. Coverage of a gun/trap shoot tournament held Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Clay County Sportsmen Club. Reports following local legislative and county candidate forums held Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at Vermillion City Hall. The latest in USD Coyotes and Vermillion Tanagers sports news – the Coyotes football team hosted Illinois State Saturday, the Tanager football squad took on West Central on Thursday, Oct. 20, and the Tanager volleyball team faced Dakota Valley on Oct. 21. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695