Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM) is an annual event that takes place in October to raise public awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and the need for individuals and businesses to take precautions to protect themselves online. In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance launched National Cyber Security Awareness Month as a broad effort to help Americans stay safe and secure online.
Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Important
Initial efforts included advice like keeping antivirus programs up to date. Since 2009, the month has included an overall theme, “Our Shared Responsibility,” and weekly themes throughout the month were introduced in 2011. Some believe that the Sony Pictures Entertainment security breach of 2014, in which millions of user accounts were compromised, brought more attention to the importance of Cybersecurity Awareness. Overall, the goal is to motivate people to take steps to protect themselves from online threats, and to help businesses protect their data and systems.
In order to help make your online presence more secure, we’re kicking off cybersecurity awareness month with a series of tips from security experts. Learn from my own hacked experience & what I had to do to take back control. Whether you’re looking to protect your personal information, keep your business safe online, or just stay aware of the latest threats, these tips will help you stay safe and sound online. Let's kick off Cybersecurity Awareness Month the right way.
See Yourself in Cyber
Cybersecurity seems like a complex topic but when you think about it, it's really about people. We have to go beyond the tech and understand how we interact and use our data, who are we sharing things with, which software are we allowing into our world (personal and professionally), and how to protect ourselves and clients from intruders.
This month we will have discussions about proper password policies, being safe online, & seeing yourself as part of the solution to cyberattacks. The next few weeks we'll go into different scenarios to help get you started on creating your own Cybersecurity Strategy, so you can get & keep your house in order. Let's not allow fear or overwhelm to keep us an easy target.
Upcoming Discussions for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022
Week 1: Think Before You Click: Recognize and Report Phishing: When clicking on a link, be careful – there could be hidden dangers waiting to attack your computer. Before clicking any links, make sure they look correct and healthy. Be cautious of links that look suspicious. Make sure to check the URL before clicking it, to avoid opening up yourself to potential harm.
Week 2: Update Your Software: Notifications of software updates are important, so always make sure to act on them promptly. Better yet, make sure your computer is automatically updated, so you don't have to worry about it. Applying software updates can help keep your device running smoothly and protect you from potential security risks. You can enable automatic updates to ensure that you are always up-to-date on the latest features and bug fixes.
Week 3: Use Strong Passwords: Password security is important, so make sure to use long and unique passwords for all of your accounts. Password managers can help you generate complex passwords and remember them easily, making it even harder for would-be attackers to access your information.
Week 4: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): You don't need a password to keep your online accounts secure, but MFA can make you much less likely to be hacked. Enable MFA on all of your connected accounts, & you'll be able to protect yourself from identity theft and other threats. Enabling MFA for your online accounts helps make you virtually hack-proof. With MFA, you will require a unique code before being able to access your account, which makes it much more difficult for potential attackers to gain access to your information.
The Rundown
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn about the dangers of online security and to take simple steps to protect themselves.
There are a few simple things you can do to stay safe online. First, be aware of the risks that come with using the internet. Make sure you know what information you're sharing online and how to protect yourself from identity theft and other scams. Second, be proactive about protecting your computer. Install antivirus software, keep your computer up-to-date with the latest security patches, and use a password manager to keep your passwords safe. Finally, don't forget to tell family and friends about the importance of cybersecurity and the steps you're taking to protect yourself.
Let us know what steps you're taking to implement cybersecurity strategies in your business and life and share with us in the comments. If you're ready to work with Bklyn Custom Designs, schedule your Website Strategy session today or check out what's in The Brand Misfit Toolbox℠ and Brand Misfit Resources℠ for some DIY solutions.