Cybersecurity Awareness: Strengthening Your Team's Defense with Essential Cyber Hygiene

As technology continues to advance, so does the need for heightened awareness, as well as 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 can play a part in keeping their organization’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, aiming to empower individuals and organizations by giving them knowledge and resources to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats. CAM started as a U.S. initiative, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and quickly spread globally. It’s led by two agencies:

• National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

This collaborative effort involves various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts, all working together to raise awareness about cyber risks and best practices.

This Year’s Theme This is CAM’s 20th year. To celebrate, the theme revolves around looking at how far cybersecurity has come and how far it has to go. This year, CAM focuses on four key best practices of cybersecurity:

1. Enabling multi-factor authentication

2. Using strong passwords and a password manager

3. Updating software

4. 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

Central to Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the promotion of essential cyber hygiene practices. Just as we follow good hygiene to maintain physical health (like brushing 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 defense, helping both individuals and organizations.

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, even if they have the password. According to Microsoft, MFA can block 99.9% of attempted account compromise attacks, making it a crucial security measure for everyone.

Strong Passwords & 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, avoiding easily guessable information like birthdays or names. Password managers can assist in generating and securely storing complex passwords.

Companies can help by setting strong password enforcement rules, requiring a password to have:

• 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

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, enhancing endpoint security.

Recognizing 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 and never provide sensitive information unless certain of the recipient's authenticity. Beyond email, educate employees about phishing via text messages and direct messages on social media platforms.

Another critical aspect of phishing awareness is reporting phishing. If reported, other employees know to avoid that phishing trap, and the organization’s IT team can take action to mitigate the threat. Ensure employees know how to report a phishing email when they suspect one.

We Can Help You Put the Best Cyber Hygiene Practices in Place

CAM offers a valuable opportunity to refocus on the significance of cybersecurity and prioritize essential cyber hygiene practices. Building a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your team is crucial and can be the difference between vulnerability and resilience. If you need help ensuring a more secure and resilient future, our team of experts can assist you in implementing the basics. Once these practices are in place, your organization 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.