Cyber Security Awareness Month is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to inform the public of the importance of cyber security. This campaign is focused on helping us be more secure online, by knowing simple steps to take to protect ourselves, our families, our workplace and our devices.
Humans are the first line of defence in cyber security. We can have a stringent password policy that stipulates complex passwords and mandatory password changes, but if Bob is falling for phishing attacks, reusing passwords across multiple platforms, and just not safeguarding his passwords, then he’s putting himself at risk.
Her are some things you (and Bob) can do to stay safe:
- Protect your accounts with strong authentication. Create a strong password (try using pass phrases as opposed to words), have separate passwords for every account, and use two-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Safeguard your personal information.: Information about you, such as your purchase history or location, has value – just like money. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it’s collected through apps and websites.
- Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implore you to act immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true or ask for personal information. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely.
No individual, business or government entity is solely responsible for securing the internet, and everyone must play a role in protecting their part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks they use. If everyone does their part our interconnected world will be safer, more resistant from attacks and more resilient if an attack occurs.
This content was produced using material from the American Stop Think Connect campaign and the Canadian Get Cyber Safe campaign.