CISA Kicks Off 20th Anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month

CISA Kicks Off 20th Anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently announced the kickoff of the 20th Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout October, CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) will focus on ways to “Secure Our World” by educating the public on how to stay safe online. “Secure Our World” will also be the enduring theme for throughout the year as we work to drive behavioral change around core cybersecurity habits by providing everyone with the knowledge and tools they need.

“As cyber threats become more sophisticated, individuals and families, small and medium businesses, and large companies all have an important role to play to in keeping our digital world safe and secure,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “This Cybersecurity Awareness Month we are asking everyone to do their part to ‘Secure Our World’ by adopting key behaviors that promote online safety and security.”

This October and year-round, CISA challenges everyone to help secure our world by adopting four simple steps that everyone can take to stay safe online:

  • Use strong passwords that are long, random, and unique to each account, and use a password manager to generate them and to save them.
  • Turn on multifactor authentication on all accounts that offer it. We need more than a password on our most important accounts, like email, social media, and financial accounts.
  • Recognize and report phishing, as we like to say, think before you click. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or texts or calls asking you for personal information, and don't click on links or open attachments from unknown sources.
  • Update software. In fact, enable automatic updates on software so the latest security patches keep devices we are connected to continuously up to date.

Additionally, CISA has developed guidance for specific audiences, including:

  • Individuals and families: CISA is emphasizing the importance of securing personal accounts, offering guidance on personal device safety, safe internet browsing practices, social media usage, and protecting personal information online.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): SBMs face unique challenges, so CISA is working to help them Secure Our World by offering tools and resources that can help boost SMB’s cybersecurity defenses and minimizes the risk of data breaches or cyber-attacks, making not only our businesses, but our communities safer.
  • Tech manufacturers: Tech companies can do their part by implementing security features built-in by design. Default settings should have the highest security measures implemented, and individuals can manually bypass security features if they don’t want them. Users should not have to opt-in to necessary security measures.

CISA encourages everyone to explore the resources on our Cybersecurity Awareness Month website.

Featured

  • Secure Your Home During the Holidays

    The most wonderful time of the year can easily transform into a nightmare. Being vigilant, while still enjoying the holiday season, is possible. The holiday season is the perfect time to start implementing security measures to protect one’s home and ensure security while out and about. Read Now

  • Five Cybersecurity Trends Predictions for 2024

    According to Cybersixgill, threat research experts, AI’s evolution will continually improve both organizations’ cyber defense efforts and cybercriminal activities. At the same time, increasingly complex regulatory requirements, continued consolidation of cybersecurity tools, a widening attack surface, and heightened global geopolitical issues will all play a significant role in driving the direction of cybersecurity. Read Now

  • AI on the Edge

    Discussions about the merits (or misgivings) around AI (artificial intelligence) are everywhere. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an article or product literature without mention of it in our industry. If you’re not using AI by now in some capacity, congratulations may be in order since most people are using it in some form daily even without realizing it. Read Now

  • NSA Report Focuses on How to Protect Against Evolving Phishing Attacks

    The National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. partners have released a new report describing the latest techniques in phishing attacks and the defenses organizations can deploy against them. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance. 3

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3