October marks the 20th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM), which raises awareness of the importance of cybersecurity in America, ensuring everyone is prepared with the tools and resources they need to be safe and secure online. CAM is a collaborative effort led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance and is dedicated to empowering the public to be resilient against cyber threats and attacks. Since 2004, the impact of CAM continued to expand, reaching consumers, corporations, and institutions across the nation.

People are the first line of defense in securing information, networks, servers, devices, accounts, databases, files, and more against cyberattacks. As fearless internet explorers surviving in the tech age, everyone must stay vigilant and focused when traveling in the digital realm to keep threat actors out of accounts and networks. Identifying and reporting suspicious activity can reduce the impact and likelihood of cyberattacks. Practicing the following simple behavior and other cybersecurity basics can make a significant difference in helping to protect data from digital forms of crime. Be prepared to stay secure in cyberspace no matter who or where you are!

It is essential to stay informed of publicly disclosed vulnerabilities and to update all device hardware, operating systems, applications, software, and anti-virus or anti-malware programs to ensure they are patched against flaws or security holes that threat actors could exploit to gain unauthorized access to devices or data. Ensure automatic updates are enabled and download updates from verified and trusted sources. Other protective technologies include endpoint detection and response software, host-based firewalls, and device and file encryption. Important or sensitive data should be backed up and tested regularly, keeping an updated copy offline in a separate and secure location.

For any further questions, contact us here at Cyber Command.