Cyber Security Quick Wins For Cyber Security Awareness Month

The theme of this year’s Cyber Security Awareness Month is “Secure Our World”. This theme revolves around the idea that organizations of all varieties, individuals, and families can take simple steps to protect themselves against threats. One of the most fulfilling parts of our work is when we help our customers implement high-impact, low-effort, and low-cost activities that can rapidly improve their cyber security posture. 

In keeping with this year’s theme, we wanted to share our most frequently implemented quick security wins. Our intention is to help organizations and individuals alike take concrete steps to improve their security posture.

For more guidance, tips, and checklists for securing your organization, consider participating in RipRap Security’s Cyber Security For Good program. 

This pro bono effort provides nonprofits a structured training course for implementing foundational cyber security best practices. We also offer free “Ask A Hacker Anything” sessions to answer your questions. 

There’s no fluff or sales pitch in this program - just actionable cyber security activities, checklists, and resources written by cyber security experts to help the nonprofit community.

Now—let’s talk about those quick wins.

Backup Critical Data

One of the fundamental steps in cybersecurity is ensuring your critical data is backed up regularly. Data loss can occur due to various reasons, including cyberattacks, hardware failures, or accidental deletions. Implement automated backups to secure your essential information, and consider using cloud-based solutions for added redundancy.

Configure Device Screen Locks

Protect your devices from unauthorized access by enabling automatic device locks. Set a strong PIN, password, or biometric authentication method (fingerprint or facial recognition) so only authorized users can access your device. This simple step can thwart physical attacks and unauthorized access attempts. 

Encrypt Device Storage

Encryption is a powerful defense against data breaches. Enable encryption for your device's storage to render your data unreadable to anyone without the proper decryption key. Most modern operating systems offer built-in encryption options, making it a straightforward process. Most modern mobile devices have encrypted storage by default but many laptops do not. 

Have a Secure Internet Connection

When on the go, you must make sure internet connection is secure. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks that are not password protected for sensitive tasks like online banking and accessing sensitive organizational data. Instead, consider using your mobile device’s wi-fi hotspot feature to securely connect your other devices to the internet. You can also consider a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your data from potential eavesdropping.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to provide two or more forms of identification before gaining access to an account. Enable MFA wherever possible, especially for your email and financial accounts, as it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Where possible, make MFA mandatory for your organization, especially for critical services like productivity suites.

Use A Password Manager

Managing strong, unique passwords for every online account can be challenging. A password manager simplifies this task by securely storing and auto-filling your passwords. It also generates complex, hard-to-crack passwords, further bolstering your security. Consider purchasing subscriptions for your entire organization to encourage adoption and to securely share any shared passwords. 

Configure Automatic Updates

Outdated software and operating systems are vulnerable to exploitation by cyber attackers. Enable automatic updates for all your devices and software so you're always running the latest, most secure versions of your software and operating systems. This reduces the risk of falling victim to known vulnerabilities. You may need to periodically restart your applications and computer for the updates to complete.

Remove Any Unused and Unknown Apps From Your Devices

Over time, your devices may accumulate unused or unknown applications that could pose security risks. Regularly review and uninstall apps you no longer use or recognize. This practice reduces the potential attack surface and helps maintain a lean, secure system.

Wrapping Up

In a world where the digital landscape is constantly evolving and threats loom at every corner, the theme of this year's Cyber Security Awareness Month, "Secure Our World," resonates more than ever. The idea that individuals, families, and organizations can fortify their defenses through simple yet impactful measures is a beacon of hope in the realm of cybersecurity. 

As we've explored some of the most frequently-implemented quick security wins, it becomes evident that safeguarding our digital existence need not be a daunting task. From backing up critical data to enabling multi-factor authentication and embracing password managers, these steps are accessible to all. 

The commitment to "Secure Our World" is a collective one, and by taking these actions, we are not only protecting ourselves but also contributing to a safer digital ecosystem. In line with this ethos, we invite you to explore RipRap Security's Cyber Security For Good program, an initiative devoid of sales pitches and full of actionable guidance, designed to empower nonprofits and the wider community in their quest for digital security. Let's continue to build a more secure world, one step at a time.