In today’s interconnected world, cyber Security is no longer just a concern for IT professionals—it's something that affects us all. For business owners, that risk is heightened as technology often plays a significant role in keeping everything functioning.
That is why every October, Cyber Security Awareness Month encourages us to stop and think about our cyber security practices. This year’s theme is "Secure Our World" and the emphasis is on simple actions that everyone can take to improve their cyber security. Whether you're a business owner, employee, or simply someone who uses technology as part of your daily life, these steps can help protect you from cyber threats.
Why Cyber Security Matters
We’ve already mentioned that in both our personal and professional lives, from smartphones to smart homes we are constantly online. So there is plenty of opportunity for cyber criminals to try and exploit vulnerabilities, steal data, and cause disruption.
As more of our information is stored online, even the most basic security measures can make a big difference in ensuring our safety. This year we focus on those basics as a reminder that anyone can strengthen their cyber security and many attacks can be prevented with the basics in place.
Here are the four key steps outlined in the 2024 campaign.
Four Steps to Secure Your Online World
1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Passwords act as the first line of defence against cyber criminals. Weak or reused passwords make it easier for attackers to gain access to your accounts. Once they get hold of one of your passwords, they’ll try and reuse it to login to your other accounts. A strong password should be long, unique, and difficult to guess.
A password manager can help you create and store secure passwords without the need to remember them all. Password managers are much safer than writing passwords down or reusing the same one across different accounts. By using a password manager, you'll significantly reduce the risk of your accounts being hacked.
2. Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Even with a strong password, there’s always the risk that a hacker could gain access. That’s why multifactor authentication (MFA) is so important. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring you to verify your identity through two or more methods before you can access your accounts.
For example, after entering your password, you might be asked to confirm your identity with a code sent to your phone. This extra step makes it much harder for attackers to access your account, even if they’ve stolen your password.
3. Recognise and Report Phishing
Phishing is a common tactic used by cyber criminals to trick people into giving up sensitive information. Phishing attacks often come in the form of fake emails, text messages, or phone calls pretending to be from legitimate organisations.
Phishing attempts often use urgency or scare tactics to pressure you into clicking on a suspicious link or providing personal information. Learning to recognise the signs of phishing—such as poor grammar, strange URLs, or unusual requests—can help you avoid falling victim to these scams. Remember though, these scams are getting harder and harder to spot, for example hackers are now using AI to help reduce grammatical errors and make emails more convincing at getting people to hand over their personal details. When you spot a phishing attempt or any suspicious communications, be sure to report it to your IT department or service provider.
4. Keep Your Software Updated
It's easy to hit “remind me later” when you see a notification for a software update, but delaying updates leaves your devices vulnerable to attacks. Regular updates ensure you have the latest security patches to protect against newly discovered threats. The next time you see the notification for an update, hit the update button and go grab a coffee while you wait.
Most software updates include fixes for security weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. Turning on automatic updates ensures your systems are always protected, without requiring you to manually install each update.
How Cyber Security Awareness Month Helps Businesses
Cyber Security Awareness Month is a great opportunity for business owners to ask themselves ‘what cyber security measures do I have in place, and do I implement the basics?’
- Do you ensure your systems are updated regularly?
- Do you implement MFA across your applications?
- Do you backup your data?
- Do you use a password manager ensuring more secure passwords?
- Do you train my staff regularly so they are aware of the current tactics?
- Do you have a disaster recovery plan should the worst happen?
Take Action – Secure Your World Today
Cyber security doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these four simple steps—using strong passwords, enabling MFA, recognising phishing attempts, and keeping your software up to date—you can greatly reduce your risk of being targeted by cyber criminals.
As Cyber Security Awareness Month begins, now is the perfect time to take action and educate your team. By offering cyber security training to employees, you can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and other cyber threats. Well-trained staff are less likely to fall for phishing scams and other common attacks. If you're a business owner, we highly recommend offering cyber security training to your team to ensure they know what to look out for. – So please start securing your online world today and encourage others to do the same.
Have a happy Cyber Security Awareness Month and stay safe online!
