Blog - Cybersecurity Awareness Month (2024)
Why Cybersecurity Matters to You

4 ways to stay safe this October

Staying safe: 4 essential cybersecurity tips

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s time to get serious about protecting what matters most!

2,365 cyberattacks in 2023 hit a whopping 343 million victims—that’s almost the whole U.S.! Attackers target a wide array of information, but the most common targets are:

  • Financial Data (credit card numbers, banking details)
  • Personally Identifiable Information (SSN, addresses, names)
  • Login Credentials (usernames and passwords)
  • Customer Data (contact details, purchase history)
  • Company Data (internal documents, sales data)

But do not be frightened! Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and the easy actions you can take to reduce your online risk. So, save your screams for the scary movies, and let’s learn a bit about this holiday.

A brief history

In 2004, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) joined forces to raise awareness about cybersecurity. The President of the United States and Congress then declared October to be dedicated to helping people stay safe online. Fast-forward to 2024, and we’re celebrating the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Why Should I Care?

Here are just a few reasons why strong cybersecurity measures and habits matter:

Protecting Sensitive Data – Data breaches have gone up 72% since 2021, breaking the previous record. This increase highlights the growing threat to personal and organizational information. Protecting sensitive data is crucial to prevent identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized access to confidential information.

Preventing Financial Loss – The average cost of a cyberattack to an organization is $13 million. These attacks can lead to long-term economic consequences, including loss of revenue and increased insurance premiums. Investing in cybersecurity can save your company from these financial stresses.

Preserving Client Trust and Loyalty – Can your clients trust that their information is safe and secure? 94% of organizations say their customers won’t buy from them if data is not properly protected. When clients know that their data is safe, they are more likely to continue doing business with your company.

It’s Time to Party (safely)

Now that you understand why this month is important, here are some things you can do to celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month with FSi!

Recognize and report phishing.

Do not engage or even click on phishing messages. Instead, recognize them by their use of alarming language. Trust your gut. If it’s too good to be true, then it is false. When in doubt, chuck it out.

Use strong passwords

123. Not a good password. Make your passwords at least 16 characters long, random, and different for each account. That way, if one password is compromised, the security risk is contained only to that account and not every account you have made since you were 13.

Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA)

Yes, the extra step is annoying, but getting hacked is way worse. Use MFAA on any site that offers it. Just this extra layer of security will make you much less likely to get hacked.

Update software

Be honest. When was the last time you updated your laptop? While many devices automatically install significant updates, the smallest security patch can make the difference. Install updates as soon as they are available.

Stay ahead of the game this Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for daily tips, insights, and a few surprises! Let’s #SecureOurWorld together and keep you safe online!

Is your organization equipped to handle modern cyber threats? Schedule a meeting with FSi to discover how Microsoft Security solutions can safeguard your business and clients!