Cybersecurity Awareness Month turns 18 this October 2021. And just like other 18-year olds, it's graduated from dealing with fairly straight-forward problems to facing complex issues. But National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Interim Executive Director Lisa Plaggemier tells us, that there are a few simple steps individuals and businesses can take to Be Cyber Smart (that's also #becybersmart). Her top two: strong passwords and MFA (multifactor authentication).

Lisa also discusses the origins of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the evolution of the threat landscape, how awareness has improved, challenges in cyber careers, and much more. Find resources about the month, and general cyber awareness tips at www.staysafeonline.org.

In the news, we cover a cyber awareness survey of EU businesses, and two ransomware attacks, one on TV and another on candy. Is nothing sacred?

See the headlines:

Deloitte surveys: businesses have a false sense of cybersecurity caused by positive self-evaluation of their capabilities and the lack of basic defense efforts

https://business-review.eu/tech/online/deloitte-surveys-businesses-have-a-false-sense-of-cybersecurity-caused-by-positive-self-evaluation-of-their-capabilities-and-the-lack-of-basic-defense-efforts-224450 

Hacking tool linked with Russian crime ring used in Sinclair ransomware attack, analysts say

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/20/media/sinclair-broadcast-evil-corp-ransomware/index.html

Sticky business: Ransomware hits U.S. candymaker ahead of Halloween

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/ransomware-hits-us-candymaker-ahead-halloween-rcna3391

Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.

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