hand holding cell phone to show cybersecurity awareness and action month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness, or Better Yet, Action Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global effort to help everyone stay safe and protected while using technology whenever and however you connect. And this year’s theme of “See Yourself in Cyber” is all about taking action.

It’s not about changing to a career in cyber; it’s about taking personal responsibility. We believe deeply in taking responsibility at Infinity (see our Core Values), and we are proud to be a Champion again this year to promote this online safety and education initiative for individuals and businesses.

“Cybersecurity is always an issue,” says Infinity CEO Chuck Brown. “It never slows down; it just changes. Software alone isn’t going to fix this. Protection is far more of a human behavior issue. It’s about training people to always be aware, to not do certain things, and to do the things they can to be safer. And there are simple steps we can take. I know it. You know it. We just don’t necessarily want to do it.”

From mobile to connected devices both at work and at home, technology is becoming more intertwined with our lives. It has reached the point that there is an entire industry centered on ‘unplugging’: from apps that time us out, to vacation destinations that advertise technology-free zones, to companies that offer digital detox programs.

And while the evolution of technology is moving at the speed of sound, cybercriminals are working just as hard to find ways to compromise technology and disrupt personal and business life. This is why Cybersecurity Awareness Month exists—to bring the real-life risks to people’s attention so we can protect ourselves, i.e., take action.

What Cybersecurity Actions Can You Take?

The theme for 2022 aims to highlight some of the emerging challenges that exist in the world of cybersecurity today with all our devices and constantly connected living. Its goal is also to provide straightforward, actionable guidance that anyone can follow to create a safe and secure digital world for themselves and their loved ones.

All month long, Infinity and other Champions are promoting these key behaviors to encourage everyone to take control of their online lives. There are many ways to be more safe and secure online but practicing just these cybersecurity basics can make a huge difference. Click on each link for how-to’s and resources.

  1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
    Add that extra step to verify your logins
  2. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
    Get rid of the unsecure sticky notes and the hassle of trying to remember
  3. Update Your Software
    Protect your tech – your phone, computer, smart Tv, etc.
  4. Recognize and Report Phishing
    If you get our top scams email, you know the signs. Reporting helps experts identify even more.

You can also join us at a couple of events this October.

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more information and useful tips all month (and actually all year) long. Use the official hashtag #BeCyberSmart and our company hashtag #wemakeITclick to find social media posts.

Remember, cybersecurity isn’t about complicated technology and bits and bytes. It’s about people – you and me – doing what we can (and know we should) to be cyber smart and stay safe.

 

About Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Founded in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each October, is the world’s foremost initiative aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices. It is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. Since the Presidential proclamation establishing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/

About National Cybersecurity Alliance

The National Cybersecurity Alliance is a non-profit organization on a mission to create a more secure, interconnected world. We advocate for the safe use of all technology and educate everyone on how best to protect ourselves, our families, and our organizations from cybercrime. We create strong partnerships between governments and corporations to amplify our message and to foster a greater “digital” good. National Cybersecurity Alliance’s core efforts include Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Week (Jan. 24-28th); and CyberSecure My Business™, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information, please visit Stay Safe Online.