When we think about fall in the Midwest, we think about the cool crisp air, the beautiful colors of falling leaves, the excitement of football, everything pumpkin and of course cybersecurity.

Okay, maybe not everyone is thinking about cybersecurity as we enter the official start to fall. For some of us, like myself, who’s currently joyfully sipping my second pumpkin spiced latte of the day, It’s the perfect time to ponder how we can educate our present and future clients during October, which is Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

This year's overarching theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is, “It’s easy to stay safe online.” Recent studies underscore that a substantial 78% of people recognize the importance of online safety. However, a staggering 46% of end-users still struggle with feelings of frustration when it comes to staying secure online, often blurred by the overwhelming amount of information on how to maintain that security.

Getting started in building a cyber safe workplace or educating employees on good hygiene with cyber can be a daunting task. While we can’t promise that we can make building your cyber journey as easy as deciding if you should go pick up another pumpkin spiced beverage of choice after reading this blog, we can certainly provide you with a roadmap to start making cybersecurity awareness within your business a more approachable and manageable topic.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 has been divided into four key behaviors, each designated to alleviate the stress associated with maintaining your security posture:

• Enabling Multifactor Authentication: This security measure is a fierce barrier to preventing potential cyber threats. By requiring users to provide two or more forms of authentication, such as a password and a unique code sent to their mobile device, you can significantly enhance your online security.
• Using Strong Passwords: While this may sound extremely simple, more than 80% of confirmed security breaches are related to stolen, weak, or reused passwords. One way to combat this is ensuring that you have a strong password, or better yet a passphrase. A passphrase is a string of words that can be concentrated into a phrase used to replace a traditional password. Instead of using Password123 and exposing yourself as an easy target to attack, come up with a phrase like Ireallydontlikeusingcomplicatedpasswords, or ILovePumkinSpiceLattes. This is a simple way to elevate your level of security and is also easier to remember than traditional passwords with multiple letters, numbers, or special characters.
• Updating Software: Installing software patches on a routine basis will help prevent attackers from taking advantage of known problems or vulnerabilities. Many operating systems even have a functionality that can be enabled to run automatic updates. In addition, running up-to-date antivirus software can be an important measure against known malicious threats. These software solutions can detect, quarantine, and remove various types of malwares.
• Recognizing and Reporting Phishing: Phishing attacks without a doubt stand as one of the most pervasive cyber threats of our digital age. These malicious attempts often take the form of seemingly legitimate emails, messages, or websites, crafted to deceive recipients into revealing sensitive information. Teaching your team to recognize these malicious attempts and providing clear protocols for reporting them can be a game-changer in fending off these devious tactics.

So, as you find enjoyment in your favorite traditions of fall, remember that Cybersecurity Awareness Month is your invitation to embrace change and growth in the realm of digital security. It’s an opportunity to cultivate a cyber-savvy mindset and begin building a fabric of cybersecurity into your organizational culture.

Taking simple steps towards a safer online environment can help make navigating the digital world less daunting. For continued support, contact us to schedule a meeting and see just how LRS Security Solutions makes it "easy to stay safe online.”

About the author

Devin Ball is an Account Executive specializing in cybersecurity solutions for businesses. Devin works closely with organizations to identify and address critical vulnerabilities, implementing state-of-the-art security protocols to safeguard against cyber threats.