Update your Security Procedures during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Company-wide phishing emails, thousands of files lost in ransomware attacks, and scraped customer information are all examples of workplace nightmares. Unlike the movies, these horrors are all too real. October is spooky season, and cybersecurity is one of the top fears for modern businesses. Luckily, relief for businesses is here. October is also National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). 

NCSAM is a national campaign created by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Department of Homeland Security. The purpose of NCSAM is to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to educate end users to be critical consumers. Businesses should have a defense protocol in place at all times, but national cybersecurity awareness month is a time to for organizations to read up on new protocols, familiarize themselves with updates to common cyber threats, and participate in the collaborative effort between government and industry.

Take Action to Protect your Business from Cyber Criminals

Protecting your business from cybersecurity threats is a full-time job. Having automation in place that blocks suspicious activity, emails, and web content is a great first defense, but employees have a shared responsibility to stay safe and secure online as well. 

Without proper training, an end-user error could happen to any employee--from a new intern to your seasoned CEO. NCSAM is the right time to ask yourself how prepared your business is for a cyberattack and what you should be doing to arm your end users with training to mitigate risks. The theme for NCSAM this year "Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.," addresses safety messages and training for end users.

A few tips from the experts at SumnerOne on how you can educate your employees on security awareness include scheduling training opportunities, periodically updating training materials, and enforcing strict password protocols. Encourage everyone in your office to stay vigilant and report anything that seems suspicious to the IT department or provider.

Personal accountability among staff is important, but often organizations need additional help. If you’re looking for a partner in the war against cybercriminals, look no further than SumnerOne. Our team of experts is ready to show you how we can help your organization customize a cybersecurity defense. Contact us to learn more.