Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an annual initiative observed every October, aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and encouraging adopting safe online practices among the public.
Launched in 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the campaign has grown to involve a broad coalition of participants globally, including:
- Government agencies
- Private sector businesses
- Non-profits
- Educational institutions
Initially focused on raising awareness about cyber threats and promoting cybersecurity best practices, the campaign has evolved over the years to address various facets of cybersecurity and target different segments of the population.
“Secure Our World”
In a recent shift, “Secure Our World” is now the ongoing theme for all Cybersecurity Awareness Months.
This change, inspired by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)’s new cybersecurity awareness program, reflects a more profound commitment to embedding cybersecurity awareness into the fabric of everyday digital life. It emphasizes a year-round effort to enhance cyber resilience across individual, organizational, and governmental levels, highlighting the shared responsibility in securing our digital ecosystem.
Get a sense of this purpose in this video, featuring CISA Director Jen Easterly announcing the most recent Cybersecurity Awareness Month, in October 2023:
By making cybersecurity a constant focus, rather than a once-a-year campaign, “Secure Our World” seeks to inspire ongoing actions and adaptations to the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape, ensuring a safer digital future for everyone.
The cybersecurity landscape today
Organizations today face diverse cybersecurity threats that jeopardize their operations, customer trust, and financial stability. Some of the most common and significant threats include:
Phishing attacks. These involve fraudulent communication, usually emails, that appear to come from a reputable source. The goal is to steal sensitive data like login credentials and credit card numbers or to install malware on the victim’s system. Phishing remains one of the most prevalent attack vectors due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
(Related reading: spear phishing.)
Ransomware. This type of malware blocks access to a system or files until a ransom is paid. Ransomware attacks can:
- Destroy critical infrastructure.
- Lead to significant financial losses.
- Disrupt business operations.
They often enter through phishing emails or exploiting vulnerabilities.
Malware. Beyond ransomware, various forms of malware (e.g., viruses, worms, spyware) infiltrate systems to steal, delete, or encrypt data, monitor users’ activity without their knowledge, and disrupt computer operations.
Insider threats. These threats come from individuals within organizations, such as employees, contractors, or business associates, who have inside information concerning the organization’s security practices, data, and computer systems.
Insider threats can be malicious, but they are most often the result of negligence.
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). These are prolonged and targeted cyberattacks in which an attacker infiltrates a network and remains undetected for a long period. APTs are usually aimed at stealing data or surveilling network activity and are often associated with nation-state actors or criminal organizations.
DDoS Attacks. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overload a system’s resources by flooding it with excessive requests, rendering the website or online service unavailable to legitimate users.
These attacks can be part of a more extensive threat campaign and cause significant operational disruption.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks. In these attacks, the attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. This can happen…:
- On unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
- Through software vulnerabilities
- Via other methods.
SQL injection. This occurs when an attacker inserts malicious code into a server that uses SQL (Structured Query Language). Through the vulnerability, an attacker can view, manipulate, and delete information from a database, including sensitive customer data.
Zero-day exploits. These attacks take advantage of previously unknown vulnerabilities in software before the developer releases a fix or even knows about the vulnerability. They are particularly dangerous because there is no known defense against them at the time of exploitation.
Data breaches. Data breaches are security incidents in which information is accessed without authorization. They can involve financial information like credit card numbers or personal health information (PHI), leading to identity theft and other forms of fraud.
The landscape of cyber threats is constantly evolving, requiring ongoing vigilance and adaptation of cybersecurity measures.
Cybersecurity best practices for organizations
Preparing for Cybersecurity Awareness Month gives organizations an excellent opportunity to:
- Reinforce their cybersecurity posture.
- Cultivate a culture of security awareness among their employees.
Here are some top cybersecurity best practices for organizations to focus on:
Employee training & awareness. Conduct comprehensive cybersecurity training sessions for all employees to recognize and respond to security threats, such as phishing attacks, social engineering tactics, and properly handling sensitive information. Regular updates and refreshers on this training help keep security top of mind.
Update & patch systems. Ensure all software, operating systems, and network devices are updated with the latest security patches. Automating updates where possible can help in closing vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
(Related reading: patch management.)
Implement strong access controls. Use the principle of least privilege (PoLP) to limit access to sensitive information and systems to only those employees who need it to perform their jobs. Employ robust authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), to add an additional layer of security.
Secure remote access. With the rise of remote work, ensure that remote access to the organization’s network is secure. This includes:
- Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and secure Wi-Fi connections.
- Ensuring that remote devices are as safe as those in the office.
Data encryption. Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access. This includes personal information of employees and customers, financial data, and other proprietary information.
Regularly backup data. Implement a robust data backup strategy to minimize the impact of data loss from cybersecurity incidents like ransomware attacks. Ensure backups are stored securely and tested regularly for data integrity.
Incident response planning. Develop and regularly update an incident response plan outlining cyber incident response procedures. This plan should include:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication protocols
- Steps for recovery and post-incident analysis
(Related reading: incident response & incident response metrics.)
Monitor & analyze network traffic. Use tools to continuously monitor and analyze network traffic for unusual activities that could indicate a cyber threat. Early detection is key to preventing or mitigating damage from attacks.
See how Splunk helps you see and understand across your entire tech stack:
Vendor risk management. Assess the security practices of third-party vendors and partners, as their vulnerabilities can affect your organization. Ensure contracts include clauses that hold them to certain cybersecurity standards.
(Related reading: third party risk management.)
Promote a security-conscious culture. Foster an organizational culture where cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. Encourage employees to report suspicious activities and make it easy for them to do so. Recognize and reward proactive security behaviors.
Engage with cybersecurity communities. Join cybersecurity forums, attend webinars, and participate in threat intelligence sharing communities. Engaging with wider communities can provide insights into emerging threats and best practices.
(Two communities to know: the SURGe Security Research Team & the Splunk Threat Research Team.)
Review & test security policies. Regularly review and test security policies and procedures to ensure they are effective and up to date. This includes conducting security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
By focusing on these best practices, organizations significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and resilience against cyber threats. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a timely reminder to assess and continuously improve cybersecurity strategies.
Elevate your cyber resilience
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month approaches, organizations have a unique opportunity to reinforce their commitment to cybersecurity, ensuring that their defenses are robust and their employees are well-prepared to face the challenges of an ever-evolving digital landscape.
By embracing the best practices outlined — ranging from rigorous employee training and awareness programs to implementing strong access controls to the continuous monitoring and analysis of network traffic — organizations can significantly enhance their resilience against cyber threats.
It’s time to reflect on the importance of cybersecurity in our interconnected world, recognizing that a proactive and informed approach is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust.
