What do pumpkin spice lattes and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month have in common? Not much, other than both should be top of mind in October, but that doesn't mean that it's wrong to think about them both in August.

Held every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safe and secure online while increasing the resilience of the Nation against cyber threats. This year's theme is "OWN IT. SECURE IT. PROTECT IT." These themes emphasize the role each individual plays in online safety and stress the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace:

  • "OWN IT."
    Understand your digital profile.
    Internet-based devices are present in every aspect
    of our lives: at home, school, work, and on the go.
    Constant connection provides opportunities for
    innovation and modernization, but also presents
    opportunities for potential cybersecurity threats
    that can compromise your most important personal
    information. Understand the devices and applications
    you use every day to help keep you and your
    information safe and secure.
  • "SECURE IT."
    Secure your digital profile.
    Cybercriminals are very good at getting personal
    information from unsuspecting victims, and the methods
    are getting more sophisticated as technology evolves.
    Protect against cyber threats by learning about security
    features available on the equipment and software you
    use. Apply additional layers of security to your devices –
    like Multi-Factor Authentication – to better protect your
    personal information.
  • "PROTECT IT."
    Maintain your digital profile.
    Every click, share, send, and post you make creates a
    digital trail that can be exploited by cybercriminals. To
    protect yourself from becoming a cybercrime victim you
    must understand, secure, and maintain your digital profile.
    Be familiar with and routinely check privacy settings
    to help protect your privacy and limit cybercrimes.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.