Only YOU Can Prevent Cyberattacks This October (And Beyond)

Some of you may be old enough to remember Smokey the Bear. Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history. In 1947, Smokey’s slogan became "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires".

In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partnered with the National Cybersecurity Alliance to create Cybersecurity Awareness Month public service campaign. Each October, they provide information, education, and content aimed at empowering organizations and individuals to do their part to start conversations, raise awareness, and help us make a more secure online world.

Now in its 19th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact, co-led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) with the overarching theme for 2022: See Yourself in Cyber

Seeing yourself in cyber reminds me of the “only YOU” in the fire prevention campaign. We all have a role to play and there are all kinds of ways to keep our data protected. Raising awareness of behaviors (what we can do) and practicing the basics of cybersecurity can make a huge difference.

Compass IT Compliance encourages you to take a risk-based approach and focus on the behaviors most important to your organization. Here are four key behaviors for you and your organization:

• Enabling multi-factor authentication
• Using strong passwords and a password manager
• Updating software
• Recognizing and reporting phishing

By providing guidance and steps your users can take, you are empowering them and reinforcing the impact they can have on the success of your cybersecurity program. For too long we have warned and sometimes scared them with information overload about the threats without steps/behaviors that can help thwart those threats.

Only you can prevent cybersecurity incidents, but you are not alone. Compass IT Compliance offers customizable e-learning programs and solutions to help you raise awareness of both cyber threats and behaviors to improve your organization's cybersecurity readiness. The program is developed and tailored to meet your business's needs and offered through online sessions and/or in a classroom environment.

We all have a role in cybersecurity, not just every October but throughout the year. Take advantage of the free resources provided by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and be an advocate not only within your organization but in your community (help your friends, neighbors, kids, and parents).

Become a Champion – registered Champions receive a Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022 toolkit that includes articles, tip sheets, sample emails and social media campaign materials.

We are all better when we learn, plan, share and do. Follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter where I share cybersecurity resources and events throughout the year. Let me know what you have learned through your success and challenges. I’d love to help you plan and execute a cybersecurity awareness program or refresher at your organization!