What to do for Cyber Security Awareness Month
Table of Contents
- By David Lukic
- Oct 28, 2021
Cybercriminal activity has risen dramatically in the last year, and trends indicate that this will continue in the years to come. Staying informed on cyber security measures is the first step in protecting yourself and your company from data breaches, especially since human error is a significant factor in data breaches.
What is Cyber Security Awareness Month?
Cyber Security Awareness Month is a campaign held every October to raise awareness about the importance of cyber security and to share best practices for the public to protect their data and digital assets.
The National Cyber Security Alliance and the US Department of Homeland Security first collaborated in 2003 to ensure that every individual, consumer, small and medium-sized business, corporation, and educational institution have access to the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.
The 2021 Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is "Do Your Part", emphasizing the need for everyone to improve their security procedures and increase community awareness.
Why Is Cyber Safety Important?
As the lines between our physical and digital lives blur, the internet's impact on our homes, well-being, economic prosperity, and national security grows. Cybercrime is far more common than it was decades ago, and cybercriminals continue to look for new ways to gain access to personal data and profit from stolen credentials.
Most people and organizations become easy targets for anyone attempting to hack into their personal data when there is a lack of awareness about cyber security.
When it comes to data security, there are a number of factors to consider.
Rise in Cybercrime
The consequences of cybercrime can be fatal, especially with the rapid development of new technologies such as self-driving cars and internet-enabled home security systems. With the advancement of technology, cybercriminals have improved their cyber attacks. Hacking is no longer just a threat to personal information, it can also harm consumer relationships and damage reputations.
Customer Loyalty
As Cyberthreats become more well-known among consumers, they will consider companies who take their security seriously. A company that takes steps to improve its cyber security will be better able to attract customers’ trust and loyalty.
Increase in IoT Devices
With the ability to communicate with one another, devices are becoming smarter. Homes, organizations, communities, and nations will be connected online in order to simplify and speed up our tasks. However, no matter how good security systems are, there are new weaknesses for hackers to exploit.
The Cost of Cyber Risks is Increasing
Everyone is a target when it comes to data breaches, whether it's a person, a small business, or a major corporation. As of 2019, the average cost of a data breach is $3.92 million. If suitable security precautions are not followed, these cyberattacks can prove to be incredibly costly for any firm.
Everyone is Affected by Cyber Security
Taking proper cyber security precautions on your personal devices has a rippling effect on the rest of the internet community. It's critical to take charge of your cybersecurity, especially since hackers frequently target people as they are seen as an easy way into protected networks.
How Can You Spread Awareness?
The theme for this year focuses on the areas individuals and organizations can take to enable everyone to do their part.
Use social media: To promote your engagement in cybersecurity awareness, use the hashtag #BeCyberSmart before and during October on your social media accounts.
Find Cybersecurity resources: Use cybersecurity resources on sites like IDStrong and CISA to help your stakeholders learn how to reduce their cybersecurity risks and protect themselves online.
Follow GDPR measures: Governments around the world are paying more attention to cybercrimes. Always ensure that data you or your company handles are GDPR-compliant.
Host an event: Organize a local or virtual event or training for your company or community to talk about smart computer habits and current cybersecurity issues. Discuss appropriate security measures for email, social media, and/or online transactions with members of the community.
Make sure that everyone is involved: Anti-virus software and other out-of-the-box cybersecurity measures are not enough to prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to your data or company. Implement cyber security training to educate employees on how to make wise cyber-informed decisions that will significantly reduce cyber risks.
Conduct a data recovery strategy: As more businesses turn to the cloud, it's critical to ensure that your cloud-based data is sufficiently protected and employees understand what to do in the event of a data breach.