Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an annual initiative held every October to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. This year's theme is "Secure Our World," emphasizing the collective responsibility we all share in protecting our digital lives. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) leads Cybersecurity Awareness Month with activities, messaging and events in partnership with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) — a national non-profit focused on cybersecurity education and awareness.
Key messages
According to the NCSA's 2023 report, 84 percent of people consider online safety a priority, yet only 38 percent use unique passwords for all their accounts. This highlights the need for continued education and awareness.
Cybersecurity is a crucial part of our daily lives, from entering strong passwords to using multifactor authentication. Here are the four simple ways to stay safe online:
- Use strong passwords and a password manager: Strong, unique passwords for each account can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security makes it harder for attackers to gain access to your accounts.
- Update your software: Regular updates patch vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.
- Recognize and report phishing: Identifying and reporting phishing attempts can prevent many cyber attacks.
Secure, all together
Though not easy, building a robust cybersecurity culture throughout the organization is worth the time and investment. A strong cybersecurity posture requires a collective effort, and cybersecurity shouldn't be seen as the sole responsibility of IT or cybersecurity departments. Instead, the most successful security strategies help build a culture that promotes security awareness across all business units. By embedding security into the very fabric of your organization and aligning security with core values, risk executives can foster an environment where every employee feels a sense of responsibility toward protecting company assets.
An innovative strategy to achieve this is to implement a security champion program. Security champions are employees embedded in different departments who understand their unit's specific operational dynamics. They act as the bridge between their teams and the central cybersecurity team, bringing forward unique security needs, concerns and feedback.
When we work together — across all departments of an organization, in partnership with vendors and between peer organizations — we are better equipped to keep our organizations and communities safe from the looming threat of breaches.
We want to help you and your family, friends and community stay protected year-round. We encourage you to sign up as an individual Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion. After signing up, you'll receive a toolkit of free resources, including simple online safety habits.
For more information about ways to keep you and your family safe online, visit the National Cybersecurity Alliance website.
Helpful cybersecurity resources
Exercise cyber defenses across your people, process and technology with our Cyber Range. Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions challenge participants of all skill levels to solve cybersecurity problems, engaging them in dynamic and realistic settings.
Upskill teams using hyper-focused, hands-on education with Labs and Learning. These help learners gauge their understanding and track their progress, allowing professionals to identify their strengths and areas for further development.
Explore the latest actionable insights in cybersecurity within WWT Research. We share knowledge acquired through our lab work in the Advanced Technology Center and real-world project expertise via our client engagements.
We can all contribute to a safer digital world by participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Let's work together to Secure Our World.
Connect with one of our security experts.