The 18th Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Here!
Nearly two decades ago, The President of the United States and Congress dedicated the fall month to cybersecurity professionals and those who strived to create awareness for it. Therefore, every October, since 2004, we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
The month’s annual goal is a joint, collaborative team effort between The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to play the role of a bridge between the government(s) and industry in raising awareness nationally and internationally.
The need for digital security is increasing with every passing year. People all over the world, especially in India, where digital crimes score record high, must be aware of the rising cybersecurity concerns so that private and governmental industries can stay one step ahead of digital criminals.
The 2022’s Theme: See Yourself In Cyber
This year’s cryptic theme – See Yourself In Cyber – addresses the people “part” of cybersecurity. It is a call to action to people, CISA partners, and the general public in viewing themselves as part of the solution and as an indispensable part of the cyber world.
People all over the world and particularly in India consider cybersecurity a complex, technical subject that should be dealt with by technical experts in Information Technology. On the contrary, in fact, the cyber world is all about people.
It is the public that has to realize that they play a crucial role in the cybersecurity domain; a pivot on which all individuals and organizations are compelled to make smart decisions to ensure foolproof digital security now and in the future.
This year’s campaign can be targeted to more than one group of people, thus it encourages everyone to engage in this year’s effort by creating their own awareness campaigns.
If we segment the public into three broad categories, we can apply this year’s theme to each in detail;
Individuals and Families
Families and individuals people using digital mediums are encouraged to see themselves taking relevant action to stay safe online. This means we all need to adopt basic cyber “hygiene” practices that may include:
Updating software periodically
Thinking before you click anywhere
Entering passwords on random websites
Using strong password make-up
Enabling multi-factor authentication
Being vigilant when using digital accounts
Those Joining the Cyber Workforce
Another part of the campaign’s goal can be directed towards the cybersecurity workforce who are joining the cybersecurity community. The CISA partners will be in conversation with leaders from across the country and all over the world, particularly India.
See Yourself In Cyber encourages cyber professionals to indulge in conversation that focuses on making the digital security community bigger, better, and more effective.
CISOs and experts in the domain must join heads to identify ways in which the community can be made more diverse so that efforts can be dedicated to solving problems that will help keep Indian people safe in the digital world.
Partners In The Industry
The partners of cybersecurity are encouraged to see themselves as part of the solution.
This year’s theme addresses CISA partners, stakeholders, and those professionals already existing in the country’s cyber world who can put operational collaboration into practice. They are encouraged to work together to share information in real-time, reduce cyber risks, build resilience, and create an infrastructure that people can depend on and rely on without being anxious about hacks, leaks, and breaches.
The three categories of groups of people for whom the Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s annual theme has been curate, address all “people” associated with the industry.
Speaking of which, we are excited to announce that this year, ANZEN has chosen to become a Cybersecurity Champion by CISA!
“The 2022 Champion program is a way to officially show your support for Cybersecurity Awareness Month and receive free resources. Champions represent those dedicated to promoting a safer, more secure and more trusted internet.”
This Year, ANZEN Has Taken Up The Cybersecurity Champion Role
As you all must have realized by now, ANZEN Technologies is India’s leading cybersecurity company actively providing a one-stop solution for products and services in the Cyber Security, IT Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance domains.
As Cybersecurity Champions, ANZEN aims to start awareness campaigns on social media to serve the purpose that each October brings. We all have to focus on four key behavioral themes no matter as individuals, organizations, or partners.
- Updating software
- Updating passwords into stronger passwords
- Updating our multi-factor authentication
- Updating our awareness by recognizing and reporting phishing
This year, CISA emphasizes the above 4 things-to-do or the key actions steps that people must take to serve the purpose of this month.
October Makes A Difference Every Year
Cybersecurity fanatics and service providers like us celebrate October as an impactful and powerful month of the year. Every year, October makes a difference to the cyberworld – by stirring the spark of curiosity and awareness amongst the general public; while also triggering other groups of people towards taking one step ahead to #BeCyberSmart.
Let us remember to See Ourselves In Cyber and not stand away from it so that we know we are a major part of the solution, instead of the problem.
Are you in? Let us know your thoughts and plans below. And what other actions would you take to celebrate this month’s purpose?
