OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS

Recognized annually during the month of October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is hosted by the Cybersecurity Infrastructure & Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). This year’s mission is to encourage all Americans to “Do your part. #BeCyberSmart.” Efforts for the 18th annual event are centered around raising awareness for the importance of cybersecurity and sharing resources with individuals and organizations alike to grow knowledge and preparedness.

Every day, our world is more and more dependent on technology and the digital world. It’s best to understand any risks associated with cybersecurity so users will stay safe and secure. Taking steps to gain knowledge around this topic means learning from the past, being aware in the present, and preparing for the future. This month, CISA and NCSA created themes for each week to share valuable tips and provide a focus for all following along.

Week of October 4: Be Cyber Smart.

Attackers often rely on human error in order to find a way into a corporation’s system. No matter how tenured or green an individual is, their smallest oversight or mistake can cause a major disruption. Simple steps to increase privacy include adding multi-factor authentication, creating strong passwords and sharing on social media wisely. Proper security means staying vigilant and aware at all times.

Week of October 11: Fight the Phish!

The added convenience of having one’s phone connected to other personal devices unfortunately creates more room for cybersecurity risk. It’s important to keep all devices safe whether they’re located at home, at work or on the road. For example, refrain from connecting to unknown or unsecure networks in public locations.

Week of October 18: Explore. Experience. Share.

With the ever-growing demand of digital solutions and software, the need for cybersecurity professionals is endless. The impact of one person’s knowledge and expertise can mean saving an entire company from falling victim to a cyber attack. Cybersecurity jobs are necessary in a wide range of industries, so those interested have the opportunity to explore different fields to find the right fit. Companies also need to invest in their cyber infrastructure and be proactive in safeguarding critical company and consumer data.

Week of October 25: Cybersecurity First

Cybersecurity starts with the individual. As they learn the importance of incorporating secure practices and policies, employers and customers alike will also reap the benefits and improve resiliency. Knowledge is truly power, and understanding threats and taking the steps to proactively fight against them is key.

Unique among the group is Week 3, also known as National Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week, which aims to inspire and promote awareness and exploration of cybersecurity careers. Not only does this week focus on recognizing the contributions to society and innovations that cybersecurity practitioners make, but also the demand and opportunities within the industry. For those interested in working with supply chain or logistics, cybersecurity and IT professionals are highly valued and greatly appreciated for all that they do with day-to-day operations and digital capabilities.

Cybersecurity is an important investment within the supply chain. As an industry with the vulnerability of global interdependence, one cyber attack against a single organization can cause delays beyond that organization’s home base. From a partner’s misstep to an internal employee clicking on an unsecure email link, the smallest mistake can introduce the largest problems. Keeping a security system and team in place to monitor and combat attacks is a great way to protect finances, information, partners and teammates.

RELATED: Check out our shipper blog: How to Counteract the Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions