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October Safety Topic: October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Each month, we’re featuring a workplace safety topic to inspire your training activities and toolbox talks. This month is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. 

Whether we realize it or not, cyber security threats pose a major risk for all organizations -- energy, industrial and manufacturing, banking, academia, and more.  If not taken seriously, your organization's sensitive data and intellectual property could be at risk. 

Download the free 2023 Safety Calendar to easily plan your toolbox talks &  training

Hosted by the National Cyber Security Alliance & the US Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Awareness Week helps organizations protect themselves, their employees and their customers against online threats.

Below are some easy ways to participate in National Cyber Security Awareness Month:

 

  1. Download free National Cyber Security Awareness Month resources from the National Cyber Security Alliance at https://staysafeonline.org/resources/.
  2. Post online safety tips and reminders on your company's social networks using the hashtag #CyberAware. Here are some sample social media posts to get you started
  3. Send out an email to employees about important cyber security topics. Use the social media messages above as a starting point. 
  4. Create a cyber security bulletin board with tips and reminders. Download an NCSAM poster here
  5. Sign up to become an NCSAM champion and show your organization's official involvement. It's free to sign up. 
  6. Host a toolbox talk or training on cybersecurity. ESET’s free cybersecurity awareness training is a great resource.
  7. Create or update your company's IT security and acceptable use policies, including clear rules for what employees can install and save on their work computers.
  8. Make sure your company's software, browsers, and operating systems are current. Turn on automatic updates if that’s an available option.
  9. Back up your data. Put a system in place to automatically create copies of important information on a regular basis.
  10. Encourage employees to keep an eye out for suspicious links in emails, messages, and attachments, and to report anything strange on their computer.

Next steps: Download the Free Safety Calendar

Participating in National Cyber Security Awareness Month is just one way to protect your organization. In addition to following the tips above, download the free safety calendar to help you plan your toolbox talks and training.

Download the free 2023 workplace safety calendar