The Stay Safe Online Blog

Check out the latest free security awareness video – Internet Downloads – provided in partnership by Adobe, Speechless Inc. and the National Cyber Security Alliance. 

It is critical to focus on the impact of data breaches on SMB's and the importance of securing your employee's data.

These days, work and home mean practically the same thing. Our house is now an office space or a classroom, so that means a lot of our day-to-day happens online. We check emails, attend virtual meetings, help our children distance learn, use social media platforms to check in on our friends and family – our entire lives are digital! This increase in connectivity could mean more exposure to threats – but it doesn’t have to. That’s why this National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) you should learn what it means to to be cybersmart and how you can protect all aspects of your online life.

Right now, it may seem overwhelming to look to the future. Everything from how we work, to how our children learn, to how we meet with friends for happy hour has changed; and we are more virtually connected than ever before.

Working remotely suits some people better than others – there’s no commute, perhaps more flexible work schedules and productivity has shown to rise. Despite some clear advantages to this new normal, there are also hazards to working remotely - specifically in the area of cybersecurity. Let’s take a look at what those risks are and how they can be avoided with a few simple security precautions. 

This year has shaped up to be one of the most challenging for many organizations worldwide. With a pandemic driving a large-scale transition to remote work, and cybercriminal activity taking advantage of the situation, online security is in the spotlight. Recent research found that 67 percent of breaches are caused by credential theft and social engineering attacks that capitalize on moments in time like COVID-19. And, today’s IT teams are spending an average of six hours a week on password-related issues alone – an increase of 25% from 2019. With these mounting frustrations from both IT and users, as well as growing risks, the question becomes: why do we keep relying on passwords? 

Because of COVID-19, internet safety education has become a hot topic among our communities. The new normal of working from home left many businesses and families scrambling to figure out how to secure their online environments.

Cybersecurity is no longer a buzzword. It is now a concern for businesses, government entities, consumers — for anyone who relies on the internet in our increasingly digital world. Earlier this year, the FBI reported a 400% increase in cybercrime1, a stark reality that has been exacerbated by the ripple effects of the global pandemic. So, how do we build trust and security into cyberspace?

Now in its 17th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month emphasizes personal accountability, and highlights every individual’s role in protecting their part of cyberspace.

The latest security awareness video covers “vishing” which is defined as the fraudulent practice of making phone calls or leaving voice messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to trick individuals to reveal personal information, such as bank details and credit card numbers.