October is a busy month for awareness campaigns and Halloween! Perhaps you already knew that October is both Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but did you know it is also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM)?
NCSAM is a government-created campaign in the United States. It is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). NCSAM was first established in October 2004 and has since been observed every year.
The campaign’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, promote good cybersecurity practices among individuals and organizations, and provide resources to help everyone stay safe and secure online. NCSAM features various events, activities, and resources designed to educate and engage the public in cybersecurity issues. It typically involves both government agencies and private sector organizations like 11:11 Systems, to enhance cybersecurity awareness and education.
Why should National Cybersecurity Awareness Month be important for your organization?
So, while ransomware and other cyber threats can be “terrifying,” October is a month to promote better cybersecurity practices so that you are not caught off guard and thrust into unwanted publicity and headlines. Why should National Cybersecurity Awareness Month be important for your organization?
Increased Cyber Threats: The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. As such, businesses and organizations are at an ever-increasing risk of cyberattacks that can result in data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.
Data Protection: With the proliferation of sensitive data in the digital age, organizations must prioritize the protection of their data and that of their customers. Data breaches can lead to costly legal consequences and loss of trust.
Regulatory Compliance: Various regulations and data protection laws, such as GDPR and CCPA, mandate strict cybersecurity measures. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, making cybersecurity awareness crucial.
Remote Work: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work. With a dispersed workforce, securing endpoints and data becomes more challenging, making awareness and cybersecurity measures even more critical.
Identifying risks and threats to your organization is the first step in creating true cyber resiliency. At 11:11 Systems we have a portfolio of security and managed security services to aid you in this regard. One key service to help identify threats and vulnerabilities is Continuous Risk Scanning. This vital component is essential as part of a robust cybersecurity strategy and here is why:
Real-Time Vulnerability Identification: actively identifies both internal and external vulnerabilities in . This proactive approach ensures that any weaknesses in an organization’s IT infrastructure are spotted as they emerge, reducing the window of opportunity for cybercriminals.
Prioritization and Risk Mitigation: The tool goes beyond mere detection by providing deep, contextual risk analysis. By scoring vulnerabilities based on their relevance and potential impact, organizations can prioritize their efforts, addressing the most critical threats first. This strategic approach optimizes resource allocation.
Reducing the Attack Surface: Continuous Risk Scanning helps minimize an organization’s “attack surface.” It offers comprehensive visibility into the security landscape, allowing for precise, data-driven decisions to reduce exposure to cyber threats.
Deep Analysis: Unlike traditional scanning tools, Continuous Risk Scanning delves deep within an organization’s environment, uncovering hidden vulnerabilities that might be missed by other methods. This thorough examination is essential in a landscape where sophisticated cyberattacks are common.
Continuous Monitoring: Cyber threats are not static, and neither should be your cybersecurity measures. Continuous Risk Scanning ensures ongoing protection by automatically running risk scans according to a set schedule and updating vulnerability reports whenever a change in the environment is detected.
While cyber threats of any kind can be “scary” this October being National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we invite organizations to take a detailed inventory of their cybersecurity strategy to better identify and understand areas for improvement. Continuous Risk Scanning is a vital tool in this effort, as it offers real-time vulnerability identification, prioritization, and continuous monitoring, ultimately reducing an organization’s exposure to cyber threats. With the changing cybersecurity landscape, this tool becomes even more essential to safeguarding IT infrastructure and data, making it a valuable tool for organizations striving to protect their digital assets during this awareness month and beyond.
To learn more about 11:11 Continuous Risk Scanning and other Managed Security Services please check out these resources:
11:11 Managed Security Services Data Sheet
Continuous Risk Scanning (CRS) Data Sheet
Becoming Cyber Resilient – March 2023 Webinar
How to Stay Out of the Headlines – Ransomware Whitepaper
