Increased awareness is becoming more and more necessary as technology develops. In addition, proactive safeguards for private data are taken.
For everyday people, cybersecurity can seem like an impossible endeavor. But it’s not just the IT team’s job. Everyone may contribute to protecting the data within their organization. excluding their own information.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It acts as a helpful reminder that there are numerous ways to protect data. The degree to which your network remains secure depends greatly on how you handle the fundamentals.
What Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
The yearly program known as Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) is held in October. It encourages education and awareness about cybersecurity. By providing them with information and resources, it seeks to empower people and organizations. It supports individuals in strengthening their defenses against online threats.
CAM was formerly known as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the United States. Then, it expanded widely very quickly. It is managed by two organizations:
- National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
There are many stakeholders in this collaborative effort. Governmental organizations, business leaders, and cybersecurity professionals join together. The objective is to increase knowledge about cyber risks and best practices.
This Year’s Theme
This year marks 20 years of CAM. The focus of the celebration is on how far cybersecurity has gone. And how far it still needs to go. Four essential cybersecurity best practices are the focus of CAM this year.
These are:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication
- Using strong passwords and a password manager
- Updating software
- Recognizing and reporting phishing
Let’s take a closer look at these four best practices of good cyber hygiene.
Essential Cyber Hygiene: 4 Keys to a Strong Defense
The key objective of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is to spread awareness of important cyber hygiene procedures. To keep our bodies in good shape, we practice good hygiene. For instance, we brush our teeth every day.
In order to secure the online environment, cybersecurity also requires continual excellent hygiene practices. A solid cybersecurity defense is built on these procedures. They benefit both people and organizations.
Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) implementation adds an essential degree of protection to all logins. A hacker can typically not access an account that is MFA protected. Even if the online criminal knows the password, this is still true.
MFA can reportedly block 99.9% of attempted account compromise attacks, according to Microsoft. With such a positive track record, everyone ought to be utilizing it. And utilizing it for each logon they have control.
Strong Passwords & a Password Manager
The security of internet accounts continues to depend heavily on passwords. Passwords still rule despite the rising use of biometrics. Encourage each member of your team to create secure, distinct passwords for every account. Avoid sharing details like names or birthdays that are simple to guess.
Businesses can assist by establishing strict password enforcement guidelines. Before it is approved by a system, this requires a strong password. You might establish a rule that demands that a password include one of the following:
- At least 12 characters
- At least 1 upper case letter
- At least 1 lower case letter
- At least 1 number
- At least 1 symbol
Updating Software
Cybercriminals might take advantage of weaknesses created by outdated software. Update operating systems, programs, and firmware frequently. This guarantees that the most recent security updates are in use.
A good technique to guarantee updates are completed on time is to automate them. Endpoint device managers can be used by businesses to manage upgrades across all employee devices. Endpoint security is improved and the procedure is simplified by managers like Intune.
Recognizing and Reporting Phishing
Phishing attacks are a common cause of cyber threats. Your employees should receive training on how to spot phishing emails, shady links, and unexpected attachments. Encourage them to check the email address of the sender. Additionally, you should never divulge critical information until you are assured of the recipient’s credibility.
Beyond email, it’s important to teach staff members about phishing. Phishing using SMS texts has substantially increased. Some criminals use social media platforms’ direct messaging to phish.
Reporting phishing is an important component of raising awareness of it. Other employees will be informed to stay clear of that phishing trap if it is reported. The IT department of the company also has to be informed so they can take precautions against the threat. Make sure to explain to staff how to report phishing emails if they become aware of one.
We Can Help You Put the Best Cyber Hygiene Practices in Place
The chance to refocus on the importance of cybersecurity is provided by CAM. Prioritizing crucial cyber hygiene procedures is also recommended. It’s crucial to establish a cybersecurity awareness culture within your organization. The distinction between vulnerability and resilience may depend on it.
Need assistance making sure the future is more stable and resilient? Our team of experts can start you out on the basics. Your company will be more productive and secure once those are in place.
Give us a call today to schedule a chat.