October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Why Cyber Basics Still Matter

As October kicks off, we are reminded of the importance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week. These initiatives serve not just to raise awareness but to equip everyone—from individuals to organizations—with the tools and knowledge to protect against the growing wave of cyber threats.

Between strong passwords, 6-digit PINs, and fingerprints scanned into our devices, cybersecurity is ingrained into our daily routines. When done correctly, these small but impactful actions greatly enhance our online safety, providing peace of mind that our data, finances, and families are protected.

While technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed the cybersecurity landscape, the basics are as essential as ever. This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights four simple yet powerful ways to stay safe online:

1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
2. Turn On Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
3. Update Your Software
4. Recognize and Report Phishing

Let’s Dive into Each Key Message

1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
   The foundation of good cybersecurity starts with strong, unique passwords. Unfortunately, only 38% of people use unique passwords for all their accounts, according to the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s 2023 Oh, Behave! report. Creating complex passwords and leveraging a password manager makes it easier to maintain these standards across multiple accounts, ensuring that even if one password is compromised, others remain secure.
2. Turn On Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
   MFA adds an additional layer of protection by requiring something you know (password) and something you have (like a mobile device) to access your accounts. The report found that 79% of people are familiar with MFA, but only 70% actually know how to use it. MFA can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, especially if passwords are weak or compromised.
3. Update Your Software
   Whether it’s your phone, laptop, or an app you use, keeping your software up to date is a simple yet often overlooked cybersecurity measure. Software updates patch security vulnerabilities, and ignoring these updates leaves systems open to exploitation. Despite this, only 36% of people install updates as soon as they are available. It’s essential to stay current with updates to protect your devices from emerging threats.
4. Recognize and Report Phishing
   Phishing continues to be a prevalent threat, yet many individuals feel confident in recognizing phishing attempts, with 69% of respondents expressing confidence in this area. However, phishing attempts are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Training yourself to recognize suspicious emails and promptly reporting them can help prevent falling victim to such attacks. While 51% of Americans report cybercrimes, it’s vital that this percentage continues to rise.

Why Cyber Basics Are Still the Best Defense

In a world of advancing cyber threats, returning to the basics offers a robust defense. By implementing strong passwords, MFA, software updates, and learning to recognize phishing, individuals and businesses alike can drastically reduce their vulnerability to cyber attacks.

The statistics in the Oh, Behave! report underscore the importance of continued awareness and education. While 84% of people see online safety as a priority, there’s a gap between understanding and action. The tools are there, but habits need to catch up.

Fast Facts: Cybersecurity in 2023

• 84% of people consider online safety a priority.
• Only 38% use unique passwords across all accounts.
• About one-third of people started using a password manager after cyber training.
• 79% are familiar with MFA, and 70% know how to use it.
• Only 36% always install software updates when available.
• 69% are confident in identifying phishing attempts.
• 51% of Americans actively report cybercrimes.

Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week: Encouraging the Next Generation

During this month, it’s also crucial to recognize Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week, which aims to inspire more people to explore careers in this field. With a growing demand for skilled professionals, now is an opportune time for students and those looking to switch careers to consider joining the cybersecurity workforce. Cybersecurity offers opportunities to solve real-world problems, safeguard organizations, and be at the cutting edge of technological advancement.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity Awareness Month provides a timely reminder that cybersecurity starts with everyday habits. Whether you’re securing personal devices, protecting your family, or considering a career in cybersecurity, the basics still hold the most power. By adopting these practices and sharing the message with others, we can collectively make the digital world a safer place.

As we move forward, remember: Use strong passwords, turn on MFA, update your software, and always report phishing attempts—the simple steps that can make a world of difference.