Your new Phish Alert Button
On Monday, May 18, King County employees received a County-approved email from do-not-reply@kingcounty.gov about the new Phish Alert Button that has been added to Outlook so you can quickly and easily report suspicious emails that may be phishing attacks.
The email also advised you that have been enrolled in “Phish Alert Button” training. If you haven’t already done so, please make sure you complete the training to help keep King County safe and defend against cyber-attacks. Most employees received the email Monday morning (see image below).
How will it work? All Outlook email users will get a new button called Report Phishing placed on the ribbon bar of their Outlook screen that they can click when confronted with a suspicious email.
If you’re working from home you’ll need to connect via VPN for the button to be installed on your computer. Here’s how to easily connect via VPN.
You’ll also get an email invitation to learn more about how the Report Phishing button works, and what type of emails to report with the new button. That email will come from the following address: “King County <do-not-reply@kingcounty.gov>” A link will be provided in the email for you to securely access the training site.
The username to access the training is your email address. Your password will be the same one you use for your email.
Here’s what the button looks like in the top ribbon:
When do I use it? Click the Report Phishing button anytime you believe the email you received is a phishing email or a potentially dangerous email. These reports will be forwarded to the KCIT security team for analysis.
The Report Phishing button should only be used to report emails you believe have malicious intent. If you receive spam or marketing emails, do not use the Report Phishing button. You can simply delete those emails. A side note: You can also add the sender or sender’s domain to the blocked list on your Outlook email.
How do I use it? When you click on the Report Phishing button, a prompt will ask you if you’re sure you want to report the email as a phishing email. If you select yes, the email will be sent to the KCIT security team, and the email will be deleted from your inbox. You’ll receive a pop-up message saying “Thank you for reporting this email to the security team. No more action is required.” If you accidently report a legitimate email as a phishing email, you can find the original item in the deleted items folder in your Outlook.
Why should I use it? King County, like other governments, constantly fights off cyberattacks. Many attackers seek usernames and passwords so they can attack private bank accounts or business government networks to install ransomware, steal data or cause outages. Reporting suspicious emails keeps King County data and files more secure. The faster our security specialists know of phishing attacks, the quicker we can defend against them. You’re an important part of the process of keeping King County safe from cybercriminals.
Should I create a helpdesk ticket? You can if you would like to, but it’s not required. Using the Report Phishing button will send the email you report straight to our security team and Microsoft.
Thank you for your cooperation. For questions, contact the KCIT Help Desk at 206-263-4357 or submit a Help Desk ticket.
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Featured job: Administrative Specialist II – Public Health Laboratory
Salary: $22.74 – $28.82 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020AB11638
Division: Prevention
Closing: 5/15/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Celebrating successful elections and honoring employees for Administrative Professionals Day
King County Elections held a virtual celebration to recognize the completion of four elections in February and March, as well as honor Administrative Professionals Day. Elections recognized the value of their administrative professionals pictured here: Robin Blake, Liwen (Lulu) Liu, and Alvin Dela Cruz.
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King County phishing test to protect data and files
Every day, cybercriminal make phishing attempts against King County employees. Some are successful. To help protect critical data and files, KCIT cybersecurity recently sent out simulated emails recently to test our defenses.
KCIT sent 14,523 simulated phishing emails out. Each employee received one simulated phishing email. Of those, 2,546 emails (17.5%) were opened, and 82.5% were not opened.
Of those 2,546 opened emails:
- 1,349 employees (53.1%) took an unsafe cyber action, while 46.9% did the right thing and took no unsafe actions.
- 495 employees (3.4%) clicked on a link in the email they received, and 96.6% did not.
- 126 employees (.9%) replied to the phishing email, and 99.1% did not reply.
- 549 employees (3.8%) opened the attachment, and 96.2% did not open the attachment.
- 179 employees (1.2%) provided their security credentials, and 98.8% did not provide their login/password credentials.
Statistically, governmental groups without any cybersecurity training typically show a percentage of 26% unsafe actions in such tests. After one year of cybersecurity training, the overall percentage rate drops to about 6%.
King County’s overall percentage of users who fell for this simulated attack was 9.3%. The goal is to reduce this number to less than 6% through training and simulations. Thank you for your cooperation, and let’s keep up the good work. For questions, contact the KCIT Help Desk at 206-263-4357 or submit a Help Desk ticket.
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New directive for employees to wear cloth face masks
Effective Wednesday, May 13, all Executive Branch employees must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths if they are likely to be in contact with another individual and distancing of six feet is not able to be maintained, per the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. The only exceptions are:
- Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face covering;
- Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part of communication;
- Any individual who has been advised by a medical professional that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to that individual health related reasons;
- Any individual who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
This applies to Executive Branch employees. Employees in other branches of County government (definitions below) will receive guidance from their leaders.
Because it is still important to conserve medical-grade or N95 respirators for health care workers, unless a particular health reason requires it, individuals should use county provided cloth masks or substantially similar masks in the workplace. Cloth face masks must be worn properly in order to avoid contaminating the hands or face of the user. Here is how to properly wear a mask.
The County has cloth masks available for all employees to use in the workplace. Individuals should use County-provided cloth masks or their own substantially similar cloth masks in the workplace. Face coverings must be workplace-appropriate and cannot feature political or offensive images or content.
We acknowledge that some individuals who are members of communities historically and currently discriminated against may experience anxiety and fear about wearing face coverings. King County is committed to maintaining a respectful, productive, inclusive, and equitable workplace, and discrimination and other conduct that is inconsistent with that will not be tolerated. In this unprecedented time, when individuals can be infected and contagious before or without symptoms, and evidence suggests a significant number of infections may be transmitted this way, face coverings must be worn to prevent inadvertently spreading COVID-19 while interacting with others. If employees will be in close contact with the public and have concerns about being discriminated against while wearing face coverings, they should speak to their HR Manager about ways to clearly identify them as a King County employee. However, even with identification, we fully acknowledge that the anxiety and fear for members of historically and currently discriminated against communities are real and these steps alone cannot change that. We, through your supervisor or HR Manager, are committed to working with you to making sure that everyone stays healthy and safe.
Executive Branch departments: Department of Assessments, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Department of Executive Services, Department of Community and Human Services, Department of Human Resources, Department of Judicial Administration, Department of Local Services, Department of Metro Transit, Department of Natural Resources and Park, Department of Public Defense, Department of Public Health, Executive Department, King County Elections, King County Sheriff’s Office (The King County Sheriff’s Office is administered by the King County Sheriff).
Other branches of County government: District Court, King County Council, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Superior Court.
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Advice from EAP during Mental Health Month: Filling our self-compassion tanks
The coronavirus pandemic is challenging professionally and personally for all of us. Perhaps you’re frustrated with yourself because you’re struggling with computer technology or having difficulty learning new job skills. Or, if you’re a parent, perhaps you’re questioning your ability as you struggle to balance your child’s online and recreation schedule.
Self-compassion is a practice that can help reduce anxiety and lessen the critical thoughts we have about ourselves. Self-compassion means we hold compassion for our fear, we recognize how difficult this time is, and we do our best to be warm and caring toward ourselves.
It can be difficult to access self-compassion if we find ourselves in a constant loop of self-criticism or not feeling we are good enough. Some immediate first aid is needed to quiet the critical voice. Here are some tips to move from being self-critical to self-compassionate:
- Hand on heart: Place your hand on your heart and close your eyes. Breathe in and out. On the out breath, affirm yourself with a statement like, “I am doing the best I can. I am moving through this difficult experience.”
- Give yourself permission to be imperfect: Self-compassion is about giving ourselves room to be human. Because of the pandemic, all of us are stumbling towards a new normal and that journey is hard. Try writing yourself a ‘permission slip’ when you make a mistake, such as “you have permission to not be a perfect parent.” Notice how it feels to extend that act of kindness to yourself. It really works!
- Write yourself a love letter: If you notice that your negative self-talk is particularly strong on a given day, get out some paper and write down some good qualities about yourself. If you have a hard time with that, write down the good things others have said about you.
- Comfort your body: Eat something healthy. Lie down and take a nap. Take a walk. Give yourself a big hug! Anything you can do to improve how you feel physically gives you a big dose of self-compassion.
Self-compassion is learned slowly for those of us wired to be self-critical when we make a mistake. The fruit of self-compassion is learning to begin to hold our struggles and ourselves in a loving embrace, just as we are, one moment at a time. In honor of Mental Health Month, what is one thing you will do to show yourself some self-compassion today?
If you are struggling, know that there are counselors available 24/7 through Making Life Easier (1-888-874-7290) and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Staff are available by phone at 206-263-8733 or via email at HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov. We are here for you. Contact us anytime.
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Employees deploy to Shoreline site through Emergency Deployment Program
The coronavirus has prompted employees to support King County’s effort to stop the virus by participating in the Emergency Deployment Program. The program fills emergency-related roles through temporary assignments at multiple locations throughout the County, including roughly 20 Isolation/Quarantine (I/Q) and Assessment/Recovery (AC/RC) sites.
To learn more about this important work, and the employees who have stepped forward to be a part of it, we interviewed three employees at the Shoreline Assessment and Recovery site: Chris Castleman, Anna Hughes, and Spencer Hensley. They each came on board early on in the County’s COVID-19 efforts.
Pictured: Christ Castleman and his wife.
Chris temporarily joined the team from his previous role in the Solid Waste Division at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. He has been with the County since 2017, and last year became a Wastewater Operator at the Cedar Hills Landfill. He received an email that asked veterans to consider being a part of the COVID-19 response. After speaking with his supervisor, he applied for the Site Manager position. Within a week he received a phone call to check if he was able to report to the Shoreline site, and the following week he attended orientation.
He sees the impact this work is having, and also notes how the program is set up to help employees succeed.
“Thankfully, our patient count has remained low,” Chris said. “The wealth of information gathered from developing this site will be beneficial in handling conflicts and disruptions in the future.”
“It is a very safe environment,” he added.” King County has made this program work without people being forced outside their comfort zone.”
Pictured: Anna Hughes
Anna previously worked in the Department of Community and Health Services (DCHS) as an Evaluator for the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. She has been with King County since December 2019. Anna initially volunteered to spend a day sorting supplies at one of the Isolation/Quarantine sites, but felt that she would like to get more involved. When the opportunity came up to work at on the Operations Team at the Shoreline AC/RC site, she applied and was at the site a day or two later for orientation.
Providing locations for the public to recover is essential and allows Anna to support King County’s response in a way that is meaningful for her.
“I think it’s incredibly important for individuals who are unable to quarantine or recover in isolation to have a safe space where they can do that with supportive nursing and behavioral health care,” she said.
“While I’m not working directly with affected individuals, I see the operations role as one that supports the entire system, so that the clinical staff have what they need to provide care to the folks who come through the AC/RC.”
Pictured: Spencer Hensley
Spencer has been with King County since August 2019. He also regularly worked as an Evaluator within DCHS, with the Performance Measurement and Evaluation Division. Here he helped evaluate behavioral health programs funded by the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) Behavioral Health Sales Tax. Spencer responded to an email sent by his unit chief, asking if people would consider redeployment. He agreed not knowing exactly what his role would be, but later that day was told to report to the new Shoreline AC/RC.
Spencer explains how the Shoreline AC/RC site is part of a multipart strategy the County has developed to combat COVID-19.
“The site is part of a suite of strategies that both addresses the overall public health goal of ‘flattening the curve’ and keeps our entire community healthy, but which also provides relief for many of our most vulnerable neighbors,” he said. “For someone without a home, we provide a safe place where they can focus on recovery, while also protecting others from the spread of COVID-19.”
He also adds how the specific work he, and others, are doing fits into the County’s overall plan.
“I’m on the ‘operations’ team at the Shoreline AC/RC which means that we help facilitate communication between the various groups of people on-site, make and receive deliveries to the site, solve problems, and create processes. It’s often fast-paced, and can be stressful, but it’s also fun. Every day is new, and we’re forced to learn a lot.”
Through the Emergency Deployment Program, employees can play a significant role in the fight against coronavirus, knowing that King County supports them. The work can be challenging, but it is rewarding for employees like Chris, Anna, and Spencer, who can tell their efforts are making a real difference.
“Flexibility, a desire to jump in to do whatever and whenever is needed, and a sense of humor will go a long way in this role,” Anna said. “It’s been a great learning experience, though one that requires sometimes long hours, evenings and weekends as we are staffed 24/7.”
“The reason I signed up is first because I was lucky enough to be able to. Not all King County employees will be in that same boat,” said Spencer. “I also wanted to be able to participate more actively in a solution. I wanted to go out and contribute.”
For more details and to complete the application for the Emergency Deployment Program visit www.kingcounty.gov/emergency-deployment. To learn more about the locations for isolation and quarantine, developed through a partnership with local organizations in response to COVID-19, visit the DCHS Isolation/Quarantine and Assessment/Recovery Facilities webpage.
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Mental Health Month week two: Creating healthy routines
For the second week of Mental Health Month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “creating healthy routines.” Many of our routines including nutrition, physical activity, social connection, and rest have been upended by the pandemic. Maintaining our old routines may be impossible, due to new work schedules, social distancing rules, or stress levels. As we settle into this new normal, it is important that we develop new, sustainable routines in order to support our physical and mental health.
Routines we develop during the pandemic may not be as ambitious as our pre-pandemic routines, and that is okay. Be gentle with yourself. Every day take one or two steps toward healthy routines. These steps and the routines they create will help you maintain health and resiliency as you continue to respond to the coronavirus, professionally and personally.
Visit the Balanced You blog for more information on healthy routines, including a tool to help you plan yours and resources available to support you and your loved ones.
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Upcoming employee learning opportunity: The Get Better Mindset, May 13
This live event on KC eLearning will cover building resilience in the face of change and challenge – and how to benefit from a “Get Better” mindset. Topics include increasing risk appetite for personal growth and being less afraid of failure. This webcast features Dr. Heidi Grant of the Neuroleadership Institute.
- Wednesday, May 13, from noon to 1 p.m. Join here.
For questions or more information contact KC Learning at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov.
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Need support so you can isolate or quarantine? We’re here to help.
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
When someone has symptoms of COVID-19, they need to stay away from others by isolating themselves, even from people who live with them. That’s not always possible for those who live with many family members or with young children, or if their home isn’t set up so that the person who is sick can have a separate bedroom and bathroom.
It can also be hard to isolate or quarantine for people who live alone or who do all of the errands and shopping for the household. And sometimes people live with family members or housemates who are at high risk for severe illness and possible death from COVID-19 and are worried about any potential exposure.
For all of these situations, King County has safe, clean, and comfortable places to stay for anyone who can’t safely self-quarantine or isolate in their own homes. Some additional services may be available for people who may need help with basic needs, like getting food, so that they can stay at home.
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