As our world becomes more and more technologically advanced, we must ensure that our defenses are up to par. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which was instated by congress in 2004, so it’s a great time to review your cybersecurity protocols! This year’s campaign is “see yourself in cyber” which reminds us that cybersecurity comes down to one bottom line – people. The best thing you can do to stay safe online is to educate yourself about best practices. When it comes to the business world, it’s crucial that all your employees, no matter their role, are well versed in safe cyber hygiene practices.

Below are the four action items that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) have put forward to remind us all how we can get involved in protecting ourselves and our organizations.

• Think Before You Click: Recognize and Report Phishing. If you’re suspicious of a link, play it safe, and don’t click it! You can hover your cursor over the link to see if the URL is what you expected it to be. If it’s not, stop immediately and report the email to your IT department.
• Update Your Software: Don’t delay. Software updates can be a pain, but they’re essential. They help keep your computer safe with security patches. Ignoring or delaying software updates leaves your computer at risk of attacks. If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates.
• Use Strong Passwords. Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. It can be difficult to remember complicated passwords, which is why using a password manager is a great idea. Your password manager will encrypt passwords, securing them for you and keeping your information safe.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication. A complicated password is vital to keep your accounts safe, but Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds another crucial layer of security. MFA will send an alert to your phone, prompting you to confirm that it is indeed you that is accessing the account. If someone has stolen your password, likely they have not also stolen your phone, so you will be able to stop a hacker in their tracks.

Every day we put ourselves and our secure information at risk by doing simple tasks like online shopping, accessing our bank and credit card accounts, and even posting on social media. Taking all this into account, the next important step is to take precautions. Offering your employees a service like LifeLock can give them extra security against cybercrime. LifeLock with Norton benefit plans combines leading identity theft protection and device security against online threats, viruses, ransomware, and malware, whether at home or on the go. This affordable service will help protect your identity, devices, and online privacy.

It can be difficult for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) to offer personal security like LifeLock and provide cyber training to their employees when they’re already overwhelmed with so many other tasks. Fortunately, you are not alone. When you partner with PrestigePEO, we can expand your offerings at much more affordable prices than you would find on the open market alone. We are proud to partner with SMBs and give them access to programs and benefits that may be out of reach. Get in touch with us today to learn about how you can access additional protections like LifeLock and cyber training for your team members.