Reno, NV…Cyber technology is connected to every aspect of daily life and staying “cyber safe” is an essential part of personal and public safety. To remind the public about the importance of cyber safety, the Department of Homeland Security has designated October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

To help Washoe County residents protect themselves, their families and their finances online, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is providing daily cyber safety tips on Twitter throughout October.

The series of thirty-one tips covers topics ranging from identification theft to cyber bullying. Residents can have the information sent directly to their Twitter account by following “@WashoeSheriff” on Twitter.

All of the tips are also available online at www.washoesheriff.com.

The Northern Nevada Cyber Center

As part of efforts to keep County residents cyber safe, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office constructed the Northern Nevada Cyber Center within the Sheriff’s Office on Parr Boulevard and is committed to maintaining an integral role in the Cyber Center’s efforts to protect the public.

The Cyber Center is a collaborative effort by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate technology crimes, including cyber-based terrorism, computer intrusion, internet crimes against children and cyber fraud. The Center stays in front of emerging trends, gathers and shares information and intelligence with our public and private sector partners to protect the residents of Washoe County.

This specialized team of highly trained investigators includes members from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, DHS Homeland Security Investigations, Identity Theft Task Force, Innocent Images Task Force, and the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.