As technology continues to advance, so does the need for heightened awareness together with proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information.
Cybersecurity can seem like an insurmountable task for everyday people but it’s not only a job for the IT team. Everyone plays a part in keeping their organisation’s data safe, not to mention their own data.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It serves as a timely reminder that there are many ways to safeguard data. Following the basics can make a big difference in how secure your network remains.
What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) is an annual initiative held every October. It promotes cybersecurity awareness and education and aims to empower individuals and organisations by giving them knowledge and resources. It helps people strengthen their defences against cyber threats.
CAM started as a U.S. initiative, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Then, it quickly spread around the globe. It’s led by two agencies:
- National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
This collaborative effort involves various stakeholders – government agencies, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts all come together. The goal is to raise awareness about cyber risks and best practices.
This Year’s Theme
This is CAM’s 20th year and to celebrate, the theme revolves around looking at how far cybersecurity has come as well as how far it has to go. This year, CAM focuses on four key best practices of cybersecurity.
These are:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Using strong passwords and a password manager
- Updating software
- Recognising and reporting phishing
Essential Cyber Hygiene: 4 Keys to a Strong Defence
Central to Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the promotion of essential cyber hygiene practices. We follow good hygiene to maintain physical health e.g., we brush our teeth every day.
Cybersecurity also requires ongoing good hygiene practices to secure the online environment. These practices form the foundation of a strong cybersecurity defence and help both individuals and organisations.
1. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds a vital layer of security to all logins. In most cases, a hacker can’t breach an account protected by MFA. This is the case even if the cyber crook has the password.
According to Microsoft, MFA can block 99.9% of attempted account compromise attacks. With that strong track record, everyone really should be using it and using it on every login they have.
You can read our post all about MFA and download our free guide here.
2. Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Passwords remain a critical aspect of securing online accounts. Despite the increased use of biometrics, passwords still rule. Encourage your team members to use strong, unique passwords for each account and avoid easily guessable information like birthdays or names.
Companies can help by setting strong password enforcement rules. This requires a strong password before it’s accepted in a system, e.g., you may set up a policy that requires a password to have:
- At least 12 characters
- At least 1 uppercase letter
- At least 1 lowercase letter
- At least 1 number
- At least 1 symbol
3. Updating Software
Outdated software creates vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. Regularly update operating systems, applications, and firmware to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
Automating updates is a good way to ensure they’re done promptly. Companies can use endpoint device managers to handle updates across all employee devices. Managers like Intune simplify the process and enhance endpoint security.
4. Recognising and Reporting Phishing
Phishing attacks are a common vector for cyber threats. Train your team to identify phishing emails, suspicious links, and unsolicited attachments. Encourage them to verify the sender’s email address as well as never providing sensitive information unless certain of the recipient’s authenticity.
It’s also important to educate employees about phishing beyond email. Phishing via text messages has been increasing significantly and some criminals phish via direct messages on social media platforms.
Another important aspect of phishing awareness is to report phishing. If it’s reported, then other employees know to avoid that phishing trap. The organisation’s IT team also needs to know so they can take action to mitigate the threat. Be sure to let employees know how they can report a phishing email when they suspect one.
Take a look at our Human Risk Management resources page for more information on training and awareness.
We Can Help You Put the Best Cyber Hygiene Practices in Place
CAM offers a valuable opportunity to refocus on the significance of cybersecurity as well as prioritising essential cyber hygiene practices. Building a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your team is important as it can be the difference between vulnerability and resilience.
Do you need some help ensuring a more secure and resilient future? Our team of experts can get you going on the basics. Once those are in place, your organisation will be more productive and much more secure.
Give us a call today to schedule a chat.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.