Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Your Handbook to Being Cyber Smart
October is upon us, and while many look forward to pumpkin spice and Halloween costumes, we’re excited about something just as important, if not spookier: Cybersecurity Awareness Month! This October, it’s time to elevate your cybersecurity game.
What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
Originally launched by the National Cyber Security Alliance, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has become a global effort every October to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and tools they need to be safer online.
Why is cybersecurity awareness important?
In the digital age, our lives are increasingly interconnected. That makes us vulnerable to cyber threats, which can have devastating effects personally, professionally, and even nationally. Cybersecurity awareness isn’t just a month-long affair; it’s a lifestyle change.
What are Four Key Behaviors of Cyber Awareness Month 2023?
Use strong passwords and a password manager
- What is a strong password?
A strong password is a unique blend of letters, numbers, and special characters that would take a hacker more time to crack than it took to build the pyramids.
- How to create and manage strong passwords
The best practice is to use a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. And no, “Password123!” is not strong, even if it makes you chuckle.
- Password managers
Password managers are the superheroes of the modern age. They remember your strong passwords, so you don’t have to. Consider using one to keep your login credentials secure.
Additional Insights
Only 33% of individuals create unique passwords for all accounts (NCA)
Only 18% of individuals have downloaded a password manager (NCA)
Turn on multifactor authentication
- What is MFA?
MFA or Multifactor Authentication is like a double-layer chocolate cake, where two or more verification methods are needed to log you in.
- How to enable MFA on your accounts
Go to your account settings, find the security or privacy options, and click on the MFA or two-factor authentication tab. Follow the prompts and voila!
- The Benefits of MFA
It’s a small step for you, but a giant leap in making it harder for bad guys to access your accounts.
Additional Insights:
Of those who have heard of MFA, 79% had applied it to their online accounts. (NCA)
Of that number, 94% said they are still using MFA, showing that once MFA is enabled, users will keep using it. (NCA)
Recognize and report phishing
- What is phishing?
Phishing is the art of tricking people into divulging information, usually by pretending to be someone they trust. It’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but in email form.
- How to recognize phishing attacks
Look for red flags such as bad grammar, generic greetings, and a sense of urgency. Also, if the sender is a Nigerian prince, it’s a dead giveaway.
- What to do if you receive a phishing email
Don’t click on anything, don’t reply, just report it then delete. Many email providers have a built-in reporting feature for such instances.
Additional Insights:
72% of respondents reported that they checked to see whether messages were legitimate (i.e. phishing or a scam) compared to 15% who reported not doing so. (NCA)
47% of the participants said they used the reporting capability on a platform (e.g. Gmail, Outlook) “very often” or “always”. (NCA)
Update software
- Why are software updates important?
Software updates are like getting a flu shot; they protect you against known vulnerabilities and bugs.
- How to keep your software up to date
Enable automatic updates when possible, or set regular reminders to manually check for updates.
- Automatic updates
Turning on automatic updates is like hiring a personal security guard for your software. It ensures you’re always protected with the latest security patches.
Additional Insights:
36% of survey participants reported installing the latest updates and software as soon as they became available. (NCA)
Of those who reported installing the latest updates to their devices, 62% had turned on automatic updates. (NCA)
Become a Cybersecurity Awareness Month Partner!
If cybersecurity is your jam, partner with organizations that advocate for a safer cyber environment. The more, the merrier!
In Conclusion: Your Action Plan for Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a year-round commitment, extending far beyond just October. But, as Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a fitting time to reevaluate and upgrade your cyber practices.
Call to Action: Don’t Just Be Aware, Be Cyber Secure
Let this month serve as a catalyst for change. Update your passwords, activate Multi-Factor Authentication, be vigilant against phishing, and always run the latest software updates. Cybersecurity isn’t a one-and-done task; it’s a lifestyle.
DataGuard’s Expert Recommendations
At DataGuard, we prioritize your digital safety. We recommend a comprehensive, proactive approach to cybersecurity. Regular audits, up-to-date threat intelligence, and the best-in-class security solutions are essential. Partner with us to give your cybersecurity the attention it deserves.
Remember, the cyber world won’t wait for you to catch up. Be proactive and make cybersecurity an integral part of your digital life today. Follow us together with National Cybersecurity Alliance and Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency to get the latest updates throughout October! Stay connected during Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023! #SecureOurWorld
Industries
Solutions
- 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC)
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Continuous Vulnerability Scanning
- Data-Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Guardian Absolute Program
- HIPAA Compliance Program
- Incident Response Retainer (IRR)
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Managed Security Awareness Training
- Penetration Testing (PenTest)
- Regulatory Compliance Services
- SIEM and SOAR
- Zero-Trust Framework
