October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Stay Smart. Stay Secure.

Michelle MachenMauser News

Image

Every October, we join a nationwide effort to spotlight the importance of cybersecurity. Whether you're working from home, in the office, or on the go, protecting your digital environment is essential to keeping our organization—and yourself—safe.

As we kick off Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a moment to think about how you can stay cyber smart—whether you're at home, in the office, or somewhere in between.

Secure Your Devices
  • Think before you install. Only download apps or plugins that are approved by IT.
  • Keep work and personal separate. If you use a personal device for work, create a dedicated user profile with a strong password.
  • Lock down your network. At home, secure your Wi-Fi with a strong password and use a VPN if available.

Protect Your Physical Space
  • In the office: Be alert to “tailgating” or “piggybacking”—when someone tries to enter a secure area without proper access. Don’t hesitate to ask for ID.
  • At home: Choose a private workspace where others can’t see your screen. Keep sensitive info out of sight—even from family and friends.
  • Always lock your screen when stepping away, no matter where you are.

Think Before You Click
  • Be suspicious of unexpected emails. Even if they look legit, they could be phishing attempts.
  • Don’t click—navigate. If an email asks you to log in somewhere, go directly to the site in your browser.
  • Verify requests. If something feels off, call the sender using a known number—not the one in the email.

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. Stay tuned throughout the month for more cybersecurity themes, tips, and best practices to help you stay protected —wherever you work.