October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between the government and the technology industry to raise awareness and encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk. Now in its 20th year, the monthlong campaign has been given a permanent theme: Secure Our World.
According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Securing Our World focuses on four critical actions everyone can take to stay safe online:
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords make it more difficult for hackers to enter the account and are considered “long, random, unique and include all four character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols.)”
Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enabling MFA, which provides more than one password and access point, can reduce the risk of being hacked and is especially important on platforms such as email, social media and financial accounts.
Recognize and Report Phishing
Be cautious of unsolicited messages that ask for personal information and “avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources,” according to the CSA. Never open or click on a link or attachment from a sender you do not recognize and report any phishing attempts to your organization.
Update Software
Ensure all software is up-to-date across devices and regularly check for automatic updates. Having the latest version of programs can enable necessary security patches and help eliminate previous risks.
Learn More
Visit these resources to learn more about cybersecurity and protect your business today:
