October 2023 marks the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) 20th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month. CISA created cybersecurity awareness month with the intent to educate and promote online safetyusing Cybersecurity Awareness Month as a driver to start or emphasize ongoing conversations about online security trends and best practices.
This year, the organization is launching a new awareness program that encourages four simple steps everyone can take to stay safe online.
In the month of October, the OneTrust Cybersecurity team will publish content around key themes:
- Digital Transformation and the Impact of the Evolving Digital Landscape
- Trust Talks: Actioning Trust-Based Cybersecurity from Individual to Enterprise
- Put a Hold on Hacks: Fight the Phish and Other Common and Emerging Cyberthreats
Follow along as we explore each theme and enable you to use the OneTrust platform to: action trust-based security, fight phishing attempts, prioritize cybercentric education, understand the impact of digital transformation, and integrate a holistic cybersecurity solution.
Do you know how much risk third parties bring to your organization? Learn more about the seven signs you shouldn’t ignore with this webinar.
Cybersecurity tips and tricks
To kick off cybersecurity month we’ve picked four of our favorite cybersecurity best practices from CISA’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month program to highlight:
- Use strong passwords and a password manager. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), using the longest possible password is best. Other best practices are to create passwords that are random, unique, and include all four-character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Password managers can help you create secure passwords for each of your accounts and make it easy to store passwords and user IDs.
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). Enabling MFA significantly reduces the likelihood that you’ll get hacked. Enable it on all your online accounts that offer it, particularly email, social media, and financial accounts. Also consider using authentication apps or hardware tokens for added security.
- Be aware of and report phishing. Phishing is an attempt by hackers to pass as an internal or external information source that looks familiar to the receiver. Phishing attempts are endemic, and hackers continue to evolve their creativity when it comes to attacks. When you suspect a phishing attempt, don’t respond, report the phish, and delete the email from your inbox.
- Update your apps and software. Keeping your software up-to-date ensures you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Check for updates on a regular basis (if automatic updates are not available) across operating systems, antivirus software, and other applications.
Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month matters to OneTrust
OneTrust has a commitment to trust that begins and ends with privacy, security, and compliance. We strive to not only comply and implement best practices but to stay one step ahead, pioneering the future of privacy and security as technology continues to evolve.
Throughout October, we define what it means to do your part when contributing to cybersecurity in your professional and personal life. This can be done by implementing best practices and learning about topics ranging from emerging attack techniques, the evolving security landscape, and cybercentric education to action trust-based cybersecurity from the individual to the enterprise.
Learn more about OneTrust and our unique ability to keep your organization secure. Request a demo today.