WORKPLACE BLOG

This year’s cybersecurity initiative —“See Yourself in Cyber” —demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people. This October focuses on the “people” part of cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate, and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart decisions whether on the job, at home or at school –now and in the future.

This year’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) campaign goal is to have everyone implement these four action steps to increase online security. 

• Think Before You Click: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware.
• Update Your Software: Don't delay --If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates.
• Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you!
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.

Recognize and Report Phishing

• Have you ever seen a link that looks a little off? It looks like something you’ve seen before, but it says you need to change or enter a password. Or maybe it asks you to verify personal information.
• It’s likely a phishing scheme: a link or webpage that looks legitimate, but it’s a trick designed by bad actors to have you reveal your passwords, social security number, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information. Once they have that information, they can use it on legitimate sites.

Update Your Software

• Bad actors will exploit flaws in the system. Network defenders are working hard to fix them as soon as they can, but their work relies on all of us updating our software with their latest fixes.
• Update the operating system on your mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. And update applications - especially web browsers all devices too. Turn automatic updates for devices, applications, systems.

Use Strong Passwords

• Creating strong passwords is an easy way to improve your cyber security. Strong passwords include one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, at least one number and 11 or more characters. Be sure to use different passwords for different accounts.
• Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A password manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you!
• Put cybersecurity first by protecting the information stored on devices. Much of a user’s personal information is stored either on their computer, smartphone, tablet or possibly someone else’s system. Learn more about how to create strong passwords.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

• If you can do just one thing to protect your online valuables, set up Multi-factor Authentication.
• It goes by many names: Two Factor Authentication. Multifactor Authentication. Two Step Factor Authentication. MFA. 2FA. They all mean the same thing: opting-into an extra step when trusted websites and applications ask you to confirm you’re really who you say you are.

For complete information and resources on Cybersecurity Awareness Month, go to: www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month