Strengthening Cyber Awareness in 2024

16 Oct 2024

Secure World Article 1200x800px.jpg

As Cyber Awareness Month kicks off for this year, the theme "Secure Our World" resonates with a call to action for vigilance amongst the rising number of cyber breaches.

While awareness of cybersecurity threats is undoubtedly increasing, it is not always translating into positive action, as numerous high-profile incidents have demonstrated the persistent vulnerabilities within our digital world. Recent times have seen a staggering surge in cyber breaches, affecting businesses across various sectors. From healthcare to finance, small to large, these incidents serve as stark reminders that even the most robust defences can be compromised.

Whilst the awareness is growing, it's often driven through fear rather than proactive and positive measures. A shift in the narrative is needed to move us from reaction to resilience. 

In response to this pressing challenge, experts in the field emphasise that cybersecurity is not a one-time effort but a continuous process that demands the involvement of the entire community. “Cybersecurity needs to be a team effort,” states Derek Grocke, director of CyberOps, based in Lot Fourteen Adelaide. "Whole of community intel sharing, knowledge exchange and true collaboration is what's needed to help us build a strong culture of cyber security.” 

We need to be as persistent as the attackers to meet and mitigate the threats. Cybersecurity is a marathon, not a sprint. Regular training, exercising, updated protocols, and ongoing assessments are crucial for maintaining defenses against evolving threats. Cybersecurity cannot be a set-and-forget activity with the purchase of a tool, it requires constant vigilance and a willingness to adapt.  

As businesses work tirelessly towards building digital trust and enhance capabilities, the development of new technologies must prioritise security within design, embedding cybersecurity features into the development lifecycle of products and services. Ensuring that security is not an afterthought but a foundational aspect of a technology.  

As Cyber Awareness Month unfolds throughout October, the message is clear: securing our world is a collective responsibility that requires ongoing commitment, collaboration, and innovation. The path to a safer digital environment lies not only in technology but also in the collective effort of informed and vigilant communities. 

Help your business build awareness with a few simple actions:  

  • Run cyber awareness campaigns with your staff - providing regular, simple messages on cyber risks relevant to your business / sector. 

 

  • Add cyber to the agenda - get your staff talking about cyber regularly, sharing insights into news articles or research.  

 

  • Cyber exercise your teams - undertake a test or exercise of cyber scenarios relating to your line of business and measure how the business responds. 

 

In this crucial month, as we work together to secure our world, remember, awareness alone is not enough. Action is essential. 

Need some help from cyber security experts? The Pact IT Solutions team can guide you in using this resource to the fullest. Contact us today to learn more.

Article used with permission from CyberOps.