Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity
10/07/2026
Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but protecting your information online is important all year long. From checking your bank account to shopping online and scrolling social media, technology is part of your everyday life and cybersecurity should be too.
Creating a culture of cybersecurity doesn’t require being a technology expert. Instead, it means making a few simple security practices part of your everyday routine.
- Use strong, unique passwords
Avoid reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts. The FBI recommends creating strong, unique passwords or passphrases, and considering a reputable password manager to help keep track of them.
If one account is compromised, using different passwords can help prevent criminals from gaining access to your other accounts.
- Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security beyond your password. It may require a second step, such as entering a code, using an authentication app, or verifying your identity with a fingerprint or facial recognition.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommend enabling MFA wherever it is available, particularly for important accounts such as email, financial services, and social media.
- Pause Before Your Click
Phishing messages often try to create a sense of urgency. You might receive an unexpected email or text claiming there is a problem with an account or asking you to provide personal information.
Rather than immediately clicking a link or responding, stop and verify the request. The FBI recommends independently finding a company’s contact information instead of relying on information provided in an unsolicited message.
- Keep Software Updated
It can be tempting to postpone software updates, but updates often include important security fixes. CISA recommends keeping operating system, applications, and other software on automatic update and checking whenever possible.
- Make Cybersecurity an Everyday Habit
Cybersecurity isn’t something you can do once and forget about it. Talk with family and friends about scams, be mindful of personal information you share online, and make it normal to question interactions.
Some of the smallest habits can completely change your everyday relationship with cybersecurity: use unique passwords, enable MFA, keep software updated, and think before you click.
If you would like more information, resources from the FBI and CISA are available for you to check out and use, just see the links below!
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