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Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month!

We’re here to help everyone strengthen their cyber security. This month, we’ll provide tips and resources to help protect you and your business and focus on key steps to better safeguard your information and adopt security practices.
 

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What is Cyber Security Awareness Month?

Install all software updates to keep your devices secure

Use a unique and strong passphrase on every account

Always set up multi-factor authentication (MFA)

What is Cyber Security Awareness Month?

Cyber Security Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of online safety, how to help protect yourself, make your device safer and many more.

The theme for this year is ‘Building our cyber safe culture’ and we are encouraging you to take three simple steps to safeguard yourself and your business online:

  1. Install all software updates to keep your devices secure
  2. Use a unique and strong passphrase on every account
  3. Always set up multi-factor authentication (MFA)

My name is Erica Hardinge, drawing from nearly two decades working in cybersecurity at ANZ I believe that people are key to combating scams and cybercrime.

I'm fascinated by the role that the education industry and government play in making this possible, but people tend to think that being secure in an increasingly online world is complex but it's really no different to protecting yourself and those you care about in the real world.

For example, if you notice someone lurking around your neighbour’s house you might start to pay close attention and if they continued acting suspiciously you might even call the police. You would likely feel a sense of responsibility to warn your community.

In a similar way cyber security is everyone's responsibility to protect yourself and those you care about. We encourage you to make a pact to protect your virtual valuables:

  • Pause before sharing personal information particularly when requested over email SMS or the phone,

  • Activate multiple layers of security with more than just a password,

  • Call out suspicious messages and;

  • Turn on auto updates.

These steps go a long way to better security. In particular it's important to share examples of cyber incidents and scams so that we can learn together and help protect those around us. By reporting a scam, you might just help protect the next person from becoming a victim. The actions we each take can contribute to a safe digital world so let's be on the watch together and help protect what matters most.

Install all software updates to keep your devices secure

Outdated software can be a gateway for cyberattacks. Stay better protected by keeping your software up to date on all your devices. Explore our resources that explain why updates can be critical for security.

 

Use a unique and strong passphrase on every account

Using a passphrase instead of a simple password makes your account harder to crack. Passphrases combine length and complexity, which can make them more secure than traditional passwords.

Looking to improve your login security? Check out our guides on passphrases and password management.

 

Always set up multi-factor authentication (MFA)

We encourage you to use multi-factor authentication on all your accounts, where available. Setting it up can give you extra layers of security and help protect you from cyber threats.

Interested in learning ways to strengthen your account security? Our articles on multi-factor authentication might be a helpful place to start.

 

Securing Australia Together webinar (for Business owners)

Join us for an insightful conversation with the National Cyber Security Coordinator from the Australian Government’s National Office of Cyber Security, alongside Chief Information Security Officers from Australia’s big four banks - including our very own Dr. Maria Milosavljevic.

If you're an Australian business owner keen to better understand the current cyber threat landscape and learn practical steps to strengthen your business’s security, this session is designed for you.

To register:

  1. Go to the ‘humanitix’ website
  2. Go to the search events tab on the top ribbon
  3. Select virtual events from the drop-down options
  4. Type in “Securing Australia Together” in the search bar
  5. Hit register
  6. Enter the access code ANZ-JNEUY and follow the prompts

 

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