MY FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR

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NCSAM IS THE BEST

Make no mistake, I love holidays such as Christmas, birthdays and other celebrations. But my favourite time of the year has to be October each year –  National Cyber Security Awareness Month, acronymed NCSAM. Having IT and data security in my veins since an early age, almost nothing is more important to me than cybersecurity and helping people and businesses protect their data.

WHAT IS NCSAM?

NCSAM was launched in 2003 as a collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance in the United States. In 2013, the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security launched ECSM, the European Cyber Security Month, the equivalent of NCSAM in Europe and the UK. NCSAM and ECSM are dedicated to the enlightenment of global citizens and organizations with regards to appropriate cybersecurity practices, staying safe online, preventing data theft and protection your precious data.

WHY DO WE NEED NCSAM?

Most individuals and businesses alike will claim that they apply the latest antimalware software, keep their cybersecurity systems up to date, never use public Wi-Fi and never ever click on a link in a malicious phishing email. But the ugly truth about cybercrime in 2020 paints a different picture. That’s exactly why we all need NCSAM and should participate in it to. According to Forbes, 2020 broke all records when it came to data lost in breaches and sheer numbers of cyberattacks on companies, government, and individuals. Here are some eye-opening statistics:

  • The U.S. US Federal Trade Commission received 1.4 million reports of identity theft last year, double the number from 2019
  • $3.7 million is the average cost of a data breach
  • Malware increased by 358% in 2020
  • Of all cybercrime incidents, phishing was by far the worst offender, coming in at 80% of all hacks with Google registering 2,145,013 phishing sites as of 17 January 2021
  • There was a ransomware victim every 10 seconds
  • Cybercrime will cost the world $10.5 each year by 2025

If those facts aren’t enough to take some preemptive steps against cybercrime and show full support for NCSAM, then I give up.

5 EASY RULES

Here are 5 straightforward and easy to adhere to rules that will act as a severe deterrent against most cyberattacks:

  • Don’t click any links in phishing emails -t could end up costing you much more than you think
  • Your rule for passwords should be this – Longer is Stronger
  • Secure your internet connection and don’t use public Wi-Fi  for business or private transactions
  • Keep your antivirus software up to date and on
  • Limit the amount of personal information you put online to prevent identity theft

#CyberSecMonth 2021 THEMES

This year, NCSAM’s baby brother, ECSM has two major themes:

  • Cyber First Aid
  • Be Cybersecure at Home

To become involved in ECSM this month, you have various options.

  • Register an event and be an organizer
  • Take part in an event
  • Support ECSM through social media using #CyberSecMonth and #ThinkB4UClick

Help raise the awareness! Get involved now!

LET ME GUIDE YOU

I know that you are keen to stop cybercrime in its tracks and I am here to help and support you every step of the way. With more than 20 years of experience in professional IT support, focusing on cybersecurity and risk mitigation, I know my stuff. Contact me today for any IT solution. And NSCAM isn’t only in October, it’s every month.

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