This month, we're celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Just like we prepare for a potential accident by having a first aid kit, we should also prepare for potential cyber threats by staying informed and updated. And while it's always important to be cyber vigilant, October allows us to highlight some easy and simple steps that can make a world of difference. Remember, a little caution can go a long way. 

In this issue:

🤔 What is CISA?

🛡️ How to be a cybersecurity champion

✔️ How FIT helps mitigate your cybersecurity risk

🎯 Download this Cybersecurity Bingo card for some extra fun

Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, is the operational lead for federal cybersecurity and the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience. CISA works closely with partners across various sectors to defend against today's threats and build a more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future. Their mission is to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the nation's cyber and physical infrastructure, ensuring a secure and resilient environment for the U.S.

CISA is a great resource and offers training opportunities, publications, and programs tailored to federal government entities, state and local governments, small and medium businesses, and education institutions. CISA is committed to reducing risk and makes them a vital resource for anyone looking to bolster their cybersecurity.

Since 2004, CISA has designated October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year, they have chosen "Secure Our World" as their theme. Secure Our World is an enduring cybersecurity awareness program through CISA that works to educate individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and other organizations on practical steps to keep you and your information safe.

Key actions include recognizing and reporting phishing, using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication (MFA), and keeping software updated. These measures help reduce vulnerability to cyber-attacks and enhance overall online security. To learn more, check out the Secure Our World page. 

Use Strong Passwords + Password Manager

Creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts is essential for protecting your personal information. A password manager can help you generate and store these passwords securely, ensuring you don't have to remember them all.

Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Adding an extra layer of security with multifactor authentication (MFA) makes it much harder for cybercriminals to access your accounts. MFA requires you to verify your identity through a second method, such as a thumb print, authentication app, SMS text message, or some other form of verification, in addition to your password.

Recognize and Report Phishing

Phishing attempts often come in the form of suspicious emails or messages that try to trick you into providing personal information. Always be cautious of unexpected communications and report any phishing attempts to your IT department or email provider.

Keep Your Software Updated

Regularly updating your software ensures you have the latest security patches and features. This helps protect your devices from vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.

FIT’s Cybersecurity Services mitigate risk by identifying, prioritizing, and shrinking gaps in protection. We believe that additional layers of security are needed to provide a more holistic approach to cybersecurity. When it comes to adoption of AI for your business, FIT offers several services that could assist in keeping your data and business secure.

Implement Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single Sign-On (SSO) helps protect you from cyber threats by allowing you to use one secure login for multiple applications, reducing the risk of weak or reused passwords. It simplifies your login process, making it easier to manage and remember your credentials. By using SSO, you enhance your security and make it harder for cybercriminals to access your accounts.

Managed Network

Secure managed network configurations safeguard organizations by ensuring that all devices and systems are meticulously configured to prevent unauthorized access. This proactive approach protects your data from cyber threats and malicious activities. By entrusting FIT with the management of your network infrastructure, you can concentrate on your core business operations with confidence in your security measures.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems collect and analyze data from various sources within your IT environment to detect and respond to security threats. By using a SIEM, we can identify suspicious activities in real-time, helping to prevent potential breaches and ensuring your data remains secure. At FIT, we offer a SIEM solution as part of our Advanced Security with Compliance bundle, to continuously monitor and protect your organization from cyber threats.

FIT is committed to keeping you informed about the latest technological advancements and their implications for your business. For any questions on products or services that you read about in this newsletter, or other ways to keep your business secure, reach out to your client services manager.