Cybersecurity Awareness Month

It’s October, which means we are officially kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM). The annual campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity. This year’s overarching theme is “See Yourself in Cyber” encouraging us all to actively see the roles we play in cybersecurity.

Alongside CISA and NCSA, Adlumin will focus on the following areas during the campaign:

Week of October 3 (Week 1): Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Week of October 10 (Week 2): Use Strong Passwords
Week of October 17 (Week 3): Recognize and Report Phishing
Week of October 24 (Week 4): Update Your Software

Adlumin wants to be your guide to cyber resilience, ensuring that securing your personal and organization’s data remains a priority. Share this cyber journey with us and celebrate CAM with a few reminders from our campaign – and be sure to check back each week for new resources!

WEEK 1

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an incredibly essential tool that goes the extra mile in keeping accounts secure. Rather than asking for a password and username, MFA requires additional verification, which enhances security and decreases the risk of a successful attack. Usernames and passwords can be stolen by third parties and are vulnerable to brute force attacks. Enforcing an MFA factor as if it is a physical hardware key or thumbprint means increased confidence that an organization is mitigating cyber risk. This month, we are showing users how easy it is to enable MFA.

Learn more about Multi-Factor Authentication

WEEK 2

Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager

A strong password is a vital first step when protecting accounts from cybercriminals. When passwords are used daily to access applications or accounts, and they lack complexity, it is more likely to be compromised. The average person manages much more than just one password. Password managers save a lot of time and headaches by recommending solid passwords. This Cyber Security Awareness month, we are eliminating misconceptions about password managers and showing individuals how these tools will keep them secure. 

Learn more about Passwords

WEEK 3

Recognize and Report Phishing

Phishing attacks are increasing yearly and have become a common problem for organizations, large or small, and can be challenging to detect. Phishing is an early-stage and reliable tactic used by cybercriminals to gain access to networks as a part of a larger attack. Equipping yourself with the proper knowledge is the best defense when protecting an organization’s data and assets. Phishing is always a severe risk, and this month we are giving individuals the tools they need to spot the next phishing attack.

Learn more about Phishing

WEEK 4

Update Your Software

One of the simplest ways to keep data secure is to update software and apps continuously. Updates improve program features and compatibility, all while preventing security issues. Software is never released perfectly, so it is vital to deploy updates when available continuously. Typically, bugs are discovered and then released in updates to fix those issues. Updates can come across as time-consuming, but they ensure organizations are protected against harmful cyberattacks that could be costly. We encourage readers to step ahead of cybercriminals and not delay their software update notifications.