The Core 4 Cyber Security Habits

October 2025 marks 22 years of Cyber Security Awareness Month, a global reminder that staying safe online is a team effort. What began as a short awareness campaign has evolved into a month-long movement, helping businesses of all sizes build better digital habits.

This year, we’ve focused on the Core 4: four simple, proven actions that form the backbone of strong cyber security. They’re not flashy, but they work:

They’re everyday habits that protect your data, your people, and your reputation.

Why These Four Matter More Than Ever

Let’s be honest: the Core 4 sound basic. But they’re anything but trivial.

Scam awareness helps your team avoid phishing emails, fake invoices, and deepfake calls.
Strong passwords stop attackers from walking through the front door using reused or guessable logins.
MFA blocks over 99% of account takeover attempts (thanks for that stat Microsoft).
Software updates patch known vulnerabilities. Nearly 60% of breaches happen because someone didn’t hit “update” (Ponemon Institute, 2024).

Each habit is a layer of protection. Together, they form a solid wall that’s tough to break through.

AI Is Changing the Game Fast

Artificial intelligence is now a double-edged sword in cyber security. Criminals use it to craft smarter scams, crack passwords faster, and sniff out unpatched systems. But defenders are fighting back with AI too.

Here’s how AI is reshaping the Core 4:

Scams:
- Villains: AI-generated phishing emails and deepfake calls are harder to spot.
- Heros: Thankfully, AI filters are getting better at catching them before they land.
Passwords:
- Villains: Attackers use AI to guess password patterns.
- Heros: Security tools now use AI to flag weak or reused credentials.
MFA:
- Villains: Hackers are testing AI-driven attacks to intercept MFA codes.
- Heros: But modern MFA tools use AI to detect suspicious login behavior in real time.
Updates:
- Villains: Criminals scan for outdated systems using AI.
- Heros: Security vendors respond with faster patching and smarter vulnerability detection.

Bottom line? AI makes the Core 4 more critical than ever. These habits are essential.

Making Cyber Security Stick Year-Round

October is a great time to talk about cyber security, but real protection comes from consistency. For care providers and M&E contractors, where staff turnover is high and systems are often spread across multiple sites, these habits need to be baked into daily routines.

Here’s how to make it happen:

Train your team: Help staff spot scams and report anything suspicious. Even a quick refresher can make a big difference.
Use a password manager: It’s not just convenient, it’s safer. Unique passwords for every account, stored securely.
Enable MFA everywhere: Start with critical systems like payroll, care management platforms, and email.
Automate updates: Turn on auto-updates where possible and keep a checklist for devices that need manual attention.

Cyber security isn’t just about the tech, it’s just as much about people. When your team builds these habits, your business becomes harder to target.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Cyber-crime is expected to cost businesses over $6 trillion globally this year (Cybersecurity Ventures, 2024). For small and midsized organisations, a single breach can be catastrophic. Lost data, regulatory fines, damaged trust... it’s not worth the risk.

But here’s the good news: every scam reported, every password strengthened, every update applied makes your business (and your sector) more resilient.

Final Thought

The Core 4 are simple, but powerful: Recognise scams. Use strong passwords. Turn on MFA. Keep software updated.

They’re your starting point for lasting cyber security. And if you’re not sure where to begin, PS Tech is here to help. Let’s build habits that protect your business every day of the year.