Every October, organizations worldwide come together for Cybersecurity Awareness Month—an international initiative dedicated to raising awareness about cybersecurity and encouraging action to reduce risk.
This year's theme is "Building a Cyber Strong America." It highlights the urgent need to strengthen our infrastructure against cyber threats and ensure resilience across all sectors.
Cybersecurity is a public safety and economic security priority. Many organizations are part of the nation's critical infrastructure—local utilities, transportation systems, hospitals, schools, and public safety agencies. Small and medium businesses also play vital roles as suppliers, contractors, vendors, and manufacturers that keep critical infrastructure running.
We've rounded up four essential cybersecurity resources from our blog to help you strengthen your defenses this October.
5 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Cyber Attacks
Start with the fundamentals. This guide covers five critical security practices:
- Minimizing data transfers across devices
- Verifying downloads before opening
- Implementing modern password strategies
- Keeping software updated
- Developing a breach response plan
Even one weak link can compromise your entire network. These five practices create multiple layers of defense.
6 Reasons Why Businesses Need Cyber Security Awareness Training
Your technology is only as secure as the people using it. The human element was involved in 68% of breaches in 2024.
This article explains why training matters:
- Combat AI-powered threats
- Strengthen information security
- Build a security-first culture
- Satisfy clients and reduce insurance costs
- Save money by preventing breaches
- Reduce employee stress and boost confidence
Artificial Intelligence Is Making Phishing Nearly Impossible to Detect
AI has changed the phishing game. Attackers now create hyper-realistic emails that fool even trained employees.
The solution? Device registration and phishing-resistant MFA. These two defenses work together:
Traditional security measures aren't enough anymore. You need defenses built for AI-powered threats.
How Secure is Your Password?
Bad news: Simple 8-character passwords can be hacked instantly.
This blog breaks down:
- How quickly different passwords can be cracked
- Why distributed workforces increase password risk
- Best practices for creating and storing strong passwords
The fix is straightforward. Use passwords with 12+ characters, implement a password manager, and enable multi-factor authentication.
Protect Your Business with Align Cybersecurity
These resources provide a strong foundation. But cybersecurity is complex and constantly evolving.
Align's Cybersecurity experts leverage over three decades of experience to deliver award-winning Managed IT Services and Risk Management Solutions.
This October, contact our cybersecurity experts to learn how Align can protect your business from today's evolving threats.
