NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is an annual campaign held in October, aimed at raising awareness about the significance of cybersecurity. This month-long initiative encourages individuals, organisations, and communities to understand cybersecurity risks, adopt safe online habits, and improve their overall digital security. NCSAM offers valuable information, resources, and guidance to help protect against cyber threats and promote a secure online environment. It seeks to empower individuals and organisations to take proactive steps in safeguarding their digital lives, assets, and sensitive data. NCSAM highlights the shared responsibility of cybersecurity among all stakeholders. In support of NCSAM, government agencies, cybersecurity organisations, and industry leaders around the world work together to promote best cybersecurity practices and educate the public on cyber threats.
THE EARLY DAYS OF NCSAM
In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) in the United States launched National Cyber Security Awareness Month as part of a widespread initiative to help Americans stay safe and secure online. Early efforts focused on providing advice such as keeping antivirus software up to date. The NCSA says:
“When NCSAM first began, the awareness efforts centred around advice like updating your antivirus software twice a year to mirror similar efforts around changing batteries in smoke alarms during daylight saving time.”
OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
Since 2009, NCSAM has adopted the overarching theme, “Our Shared Responsibility,” emphasising the role that everyone, from large enterprises to individual users, plays in securing the digital assets under their control. In 2011, weekly themes were introduced throughout the month to focus on specific aspects of cybersecurity. The first NCSAM theme highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding online resources. In 2010, the launch of NCSAM also saw the introduction of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign, which became the national cybersecurity education and awareness message, as included in President Obama’s proclamation for the month.
SECURE OUR WORLD
In October 2023, a new theme “Secure Our World” was announced as an enduring theme for future years. It’s a call to action – protect yourself, and your business from online dangers with simple, effective steps. Globally, the NCSAM has spread to include Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Israel and selected countries in Asia. The European Union launched the first European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) in 2012 with the official motto of “Think Before U Click.” ECSM coincides with NCSAM and many consider it to be a moniker for the same event.
EVOLUTION AND CHANGES
NCSAM focus reflects the constantly evolving cybersecurity landscape. For example, darknet markets were not a major concern or widely known in the early 2000s, but they are now a key target for many attackers seeking to sell stolen financial data. As attackers’ methods and priorities shift, cybersecurity experts must continually educate users. In recent years, the internet has been plagued by phishing and ransomware attacks. More than 90% of successful cyber-attacks begin with a phishing email, which can have long-lasting consequences. Phishing and ransomware target enterprises, their core services, and critical infrastructure. In response, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month has adapted its toolkits and guidance to address these emerging threats. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to change in the coming years, the campaign will keep updating its resources to tackle new challenges. Recent updates to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month resources include:
- Raising awareness about botnets and the importance of securing Internet of Things (IoT) devices from common malware.
- The latest cybersecurity threats and strategies for enterprises to improve their cyber-hygiene.
- Cybersecurity advice for individuals, employees, businesses, executives, and other potential targets of cyber-attacks.
- Security awareness training programmes to help people avoid becoming victims.
- Guidance on creating strong, complex passwords and avoiding the use of default passwords across multiple accounts.
- Resources to assist Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in installing effective digital infrastructure to prevent attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in enterprises.
- Protecting financial and healthcare data from breaches by storing it securely on trusted sites and storage devices.
- Encouraging the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to guard against phishing and social engineering attacks.
- Educating parents and teens about the dangers of sexual predators on social media.
- A basic understanding of darknet markets and the dark web, where illegal content is often sold.
NCSAM IN THE UK
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is key in promoting cybersecurity and is actively involved in NCSAM. The NCSC offers various resources to help protect against cyber threats:
- Cyber Aware: This NCSC campaign provides guidance on enhancing cybersecurity, such as using strong passwords and enabling two-step verification.
- CYBERUK: A UK-based event featuring engaging speakers and valuable networking opportunities within the cybersecurity community.
- Support for Victims: The NCSC offers advice for individuals whose social media accounts have been compromised.
PARTICIPATE IN NCSAM 2024
Participating in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is crucial for staying safe online and protecting your digital assets. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Educate Yourself – Familiarise yourself with common cyber threats, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware, and learn how to recognise and avoid them.
- Update Software – Ensure that your devices, operating systems, and software applications are always updated with the latest security patches.
- Use Strong Passwords – Create and regularly update strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts, and consider using a password manager.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Activate 2FA wherever possible to add an additional layer of security to your accounts.
- Back Up Data – Regularly back up important data to secure and accessible locations to prevent loss in the event of a cyberattack.
- Share Knowledge – Inform friends, family, and colleagues about best cybersecurity practices, and encourage them to participate in NCSAM.
- Stay Informed – Keep up to date with cybersecurity news, blogs, and resources to stay aware of the latest threats and security tips.
PROTECT IT BETTER
Just as a dog is for life, not just for Christmas, so cybersecurity awareness should not only take centre-stage in October. As London’s #1 end-to-end cybersecurity and IT support for SMEs, Zhero knows the ins and outs of MFA, effective password management, and software updates. Spotting and reporting phishing is also right up our street. Zhero’s Protect IT Better offering has been carefully crafted and developed to proactively nurture and build a sustainable cybersecurity environment giving your business a competitive advantage. We’ve incorporated the most advanced technology-as-a-service innovations and created Protect IT better. Protect IT better follows a holistic approach that ensures you are always protected against modern-day cyberattacks. Get in touch today to secure your world. Together we can make our online world safe for everybody.