October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which highlights the importance of cybersecurity for the whole month. Resources will be available to help institutions enhance their security posture by means of adopting best practices in cybersecurity and building up employees’ security awareness.
The United States Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and the National Cyber Security Alliance launched Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004 to increase understanding of the value of cybersecurity. Every year, there is a different theme, though the general purpose is similar – To enable men and women and the companies they work for to enhance cybersecurity so that it is more difficult for hackers and con artists to be successful.
The October, the focus is bettering education regarding cybersecurity guidelines, increasing awareness of the digital dangers to privacy, inspiring companies, and people to put in place tougher safety measures to secure sensitive information, and showcasing the value of security awareness training.
The general theme of this 2021 is – “Do Your Part, #BeCyberSmart.” It is centered on talking about the significance of every person doing his part in cybersecurity and safeguarding systems and sensitive information from attackers and cybercriminals. All through October, the National Cyber Security Alliance along with its partners are going to have programs to increase awareness of particular areas of cybersecurity. Each week has the following theme:
- Week 1 of October: Be Cyber Smart.
- Week 2 of October: Fight the Phish!
- Week 3 of October: Explore. Experience. Share.
- Week 4 of October: Cybersecurity First
Cybersecurity Awareness month begins week one with the subject of “Be Cyber Smart.” Recommended cybersecurity practices will be featured to safeguard the great amounts of personal and business information that are kept on Internet-linked systems.
According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), this timeless theme urges people and institutions to do their part in safeguarding their area of cyberspace, emphasizing personal liability and the value of taking active steps to boost cybersecurity.
Highlighted in week one are the best practices that organizations and consumers must be putting into action such as
- Setting up strong passwords at all times
- Employing multi-factor authentication on accounts
- Updating and patching software promptly
- Creating backup copies to make sure data are recoverable in case of a ransomware attack or any detrimental cyberattack.
Since Cybersecurity Awareness Month started, the key role of cybersecurity in the country’s security and economy had been elevated. This October, President Biden announced the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in a White House statement, emphasizing the commitment to carry out the best practices to protect internet-connected devices, systems, and technology from cyber threats whether at home, work, school, or any place that the internet is accessed. . All Americans must conscientiously secure their sensitive information and enhance their cybersecurity awareness by taking on this 2021’s theme: “Do Your Part. Be Cyber Smart.”