October is officially recognized as Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) in the United States, a national effort led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) to raise awareness about cyber threats and promote safe online practices. The month-long campaign encourages the public to adopt simple, actionable steps, such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and recognizing and reporting phishing scams, to protect themselves and their communities from cybercrime.
Key aspects of Cybersecurity Awareness Month:
- Purpose:
To educate the public and organizations on the importance of cybersecurity, generate discussions on cyber threats, and encourage the adoption of best practices to reduce online risks.
- Leadership:
Coordinated by CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, the initiative involves partnerships with government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions.
- Goals:
To promote a shared responsibility for cybersecurity and empower individuals and organizations with the tools and knowledge to stay safe online.
- Focus:
Each year, the campaign focuses on specific cybersecurity behaviors, often highlighting themes like “Secure Our World” or “Stay Safe Online”.