Cybersecurity Awareness Month is just around the corner, and it’s never too early to start planning! Stores are already decking the halls with Halloween decorations, and Starbucks has been serving pumpkin spice lattes since August (we see you, PSL fans). Meanwhile, there are just a few weeks left to get your cybersecurity awareness programs in shape.
Whether you’re still on the fence about participating or wondering if there’s still time to pull it off, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’ll guide you through getting your organization Cybersecurity Awareness Month-ready, with ideas for essential topics and fun ways to get your team engaged.
3 Reasons Your Business Needs Cybersecurity Awareness
The “Oh Behave! The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report 2023” found that over a third (40%) of full-time and part-time employees surveyed saw themselves as the least responsible for their organization’s cybersecurity.
Yikes! That’s a bit alarming, especially when you consider that human error was behind 68% of breaches in the Verizon 2024 Report. You might have the best technology in place, but without the basics of cyber hygiene, your team could leave a big door wide open to cyber risks.
With that in mind, here are three reasons your business should be participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
#1 Leverage Free Resource and Support
Let’s kick off with the most compelling reason: free stuff! Throughout October, many organizations, including government agencies and cybersecurity firms, offer free resources, tools, and support.
If you’re pressed for time or working with a tight budget, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage. Take a quick search online, for instance, and you’ll find free training videos, social media graphics, and email templates to share with your team.
Moreover, the National Cybersecurity Alliance offers a complete cybersecurity awareness campaign you can download—absolutely free.
#2 Reduce Risk of a Cybersecurity Incident
Every business is at a different stage in its cybersecurity journey. If you’re just getting started, focus on the basics. By training your team, and encouraging good cyber habits, you can help protect your organization from data breaches, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats. And there’s proof that training works!
KnowBe4, a leader in cybersecurity training, found in their Phishing by Industry Benchmark Report that organizations improved their resistance to phishing attacks by an average of 82% in just one year when they followed recommended training practices.
#3: Improve Your Cybersecurity Culture
Participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month sends a strong message to your employees and customers that you’re serious about protecting their data. It’s a great way to build a security-first culture where everyone understands their role in keeping the organization safe.
Additionally, when people feel informed and empowered, they’re more likely to take cybersecurity seriously—not just during October, but all year round.
Check Out Our Guide on Building a Cybersecurity Culture in the Workplace.
Cybersecurity Awareness Program Ideas
Now, let’s get into the details of your awareness program. Start by designating someone—or a small team—to lead the charge. You don’t need a cybersecurity expert, just someone who can communicate clearly with the rest of your business. However, with only five weeks in October, it’s important to focus on the cybersecurity areas that are most relevant to your organization.
We suggest dedicating the first week to introducing the program and then focusing on four key behaviors for the rest of the month. Here’s a sample plan to get you started:
Week 1: Introduce Your Campaign
- Kick off the month by explaining the goals and importance of your cybersecurity awareness efforts.
Week 2: Emphasize Strong Passwords and Using a Password Manager
- Create Strong Passwords: Encourage using passwords that are at least 12 characters long, combining upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid common words, phrases, or personal information.
- Avoid Reusing Passwords: Reinforce that each account should have a unique password to prevent multiple breaches from a single compromised account.
- Use a Password Manager: Recommend a reputable password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords, making it easier for employees to maintain strong, unique passwords.
Week 3: Highlight the Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Enable MFA Wherever Possible: Encourage enabling MFA on all critical accounts, especially for email, financial services, and any accounts containing sensitive information.
- Use Authenticator Apps: Recommend using authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Authy) over SMS-based MFA, which is more vulnerable to certain attacks.
Week 4: Promote Regular Software Updates
- Enable Automatic Updates: Suggest turning on automatic updates for operating systems and critical applications to ensure they’re always running the latest, most secure versions.
- Regularly Check for Updates: For software or systems that don’t update automatically, make it a habit to check for and apply updates regularly.
Week 5: Teach How to Recognize and Report Phishing
- Educate Employees on Phishing Signs: Train employees to spot phishing attempts by looking for suspicious sender addresses, generic greetings, urgent language, unexpected attachments or links, and grammatical errors.
- Report Phishing Attempts: Establish a clear process for reporting suspected phishing attempts to the IT or security team.
- Use Phishing Simulations: Conduct regular phishing simulations to test employees’ awareness and provide feedback and training based on the results.
By breaking it down this way, you’ll have a clear roadmap to guide your efforts and keep everyone engaged throughout the month.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Examples
Once you’ve decided on your content, think about how to distribute it. Whether it’s dropping a few quick tips during a team meeting or hosting an interactive event, there are plenty of practical ways to get your organization involved in Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Share Information and Educate Your Team
- Newsletters and Emails: Regularly send out cybersecurity tips, updates on current threats, and best practices through newsletters or internal emails. Highlight your organization’s recent successes in preventing cyber incidents to keep cybersecurity top-of-mind. Aim for weekly or bi-weekly updates throughout October.
- Pro Tip: Include links to blog posts, webinars, or downloadable checklists to encourage further learning and engagement.
- Host Cybersecurity Discussions: Organize webinars, virtual panels, or lunch-and-learn sessions with cybersecurity experts. Cover topics like emerging threats, recognizing scams, or the importance of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Make these sessions interactive with Q&As, live polls, or discussions.
Further Reading: 7 Questions to Start a Cybersecurity Discussion
Make Cybersecurity Awareness Visual and Engaging
- Create Infographics: Design infographics that simplify complex cybersecurity concepts. Tools like Canva can be great for creating professional-looking graphics without needing a design background. Also, sites like the National Cybersecurity Alliance and other cybersecurity organizations offer free downloads for infographics, posters, and more. Share these visuals on your website, social media, and internal platforms, and make them easy to download and share.
- Tip: Use compelling data or statistics to grab attention, like the percentage of breaches caused by human error.
- Distribute Posters and Handouts: Place posters in high-traffic areas (break rooms, hallways, near workstations) and distribute handouts at meetings or events. Keep the messaging simple and visually engaging with tips like “Think Before You Click” or “Secure Your Passwords.”
Encourage Participation with Activities and Incentives
- Run Cybersecurity Challenges: Create engaging challenges or quizzes on topics like spotting phishing attempts or creating strong passwords. Offer incentives for participation or high scores, such as gift cards, extra time off, or company swag.
- Host Events: Plan workshops or simulation exercises, like phishing drills or sessions on setting up MFA. Invite guest speakers, such as cybersecurity experts or law enforcement, to share insights and advice. Make events enjoyable with themed activities or contests to encourage attendance.
Promote Cybersecurity Awareness Externally
- Engage on Social Media: Share regular posts throughout October with quick tips, educational videos, or cybersecurity facts. Use interactive content like polls or quizzes to engage your audience and showcase your organization’s commitment to cybersecurity.
- Idea: Create social media challenges encouraging followers to share their cybersecurity practices or participate in contests for a chance to win prizes.
By using a mix of educational content, engaging visuals, interactive activities, and external promotion, you can create a well-rounded cybersecurity awareness program that resonates with your team and beyond.
Strengthen Your Security Culture Beyond October
October is the perfect time to strengthen your organization’s security culture. Just Solutions proudly supports this initiative, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month and staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month.
Remember, online safety isn’t just a one-month project—it’s an ongoing commitment. At Just Solutions, we’re here to support your cybersecurity needs all year round. From tailored employee training to advanced threat protection, our team is ready to help you create a safer digital environment. Contact us today to learn how we can keep your business secure.