Cyber Security Awareness Month is an annual event dedicated to raising the importance of online safety and best practices. It aims to remind and educate individuals and organisations about the potential cyber risks so they can take a proactive approach when it comes to being cyber secure.
As we are increasingly connected through digital channels, Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 focuses on making life difficult for cybercriminals by building consistent, everyday security habits. It continues to emphasise simple actions that help protect businesses, employees and families from online threats.
The focus continues to be on four core behaviours that everyone can practise throughout October and beyond:
- Create strong, unique passwords and use a password manager – or adopt passkeys where they are available.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), prioritising phishing-resistant methods where possible.
- Recognise and report scams.
- Keep your software updated.
The threat landscape has also changed since last year. Criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to make phishing emails, fake invoices, voice messages and impersonation attempts more convincing, which means employees need to be encouraged to pause, verify and report anything suspicious.
Why raising awareness of cyber security is important
Technology is fundamental to business operations. However, cyberattacks are now much more common. Without effective cyber security, you cannot protect your business against digital attacks.
Businesses have statutory and contractual obligations to protect the data they store on customers and employees. Good cyber security that is regularly reviewed and updated will help you meet those obligations.
It is not possible to achieve complete security, but you can minimise cyber threats by using cyber security systems and methods to mitigate the risks and enhance protection.
Cyber security is part of overall information security. It focuses on protecting systems and the information they receive, store and transmit by minimising the risk of unauthorised access. Information security is broader and looks to protect all information assets, whether they are in hard copy or digital.
By raising awareness of cyber security, organisations can effectively mitigate risks caused by both unintentional errors and malicious intentions. Educating employees on best practices, such as recognising phishing attempts, using strong passwords and practicing safe browsing habits equips them with the skills needed to navigate the digital landscape securely.
Cyber Security Awareness Month provides an opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to compliance and proactive risk management.
Things to do during Cyber Security Awareness Month
As outlined in the four key behaviours mentioned above, organisations should use this month as an opportunity to review internal security measures, such as ensuring that the use of multi-factor authentication is enforced throughout the organisation for sensitive accounts and systems.
Ensure that software, operating systems, browsers, apps and firmware are kept up-to-date where appropriate and that security patches are applied promptly for key systems.
Reviewing and implementing modern best practices when it comes to password security.
Deploy a variety of training programmes focused on key cyber security topics, including identifying phishing emails, suspicious messages, fake invoices, unexpected MFA prompts, social engineering attempts, creating strong passwords and adopting safe browsing practices. This includes ensuring employees who are working from home – or who are out on the road – are using VPN / secure Wi-Fi and that their software is up to date on their devices.
By offering training, you can equip your employees with the essential knowledge and skills to safeguard both themselves and the organisation against cyber threats. Part of your training plan could include simulated phishing campaigns.
This involves sending realistic mock phishing emails or messages to employees that mimic actual cyber-attacks. These may include common features of phishing scams, such as urgent requests for sensitive information, unexpected payment changes, suspicious attachments, malicious links, QR codes or prompts to approve an MFA request. The aim is to check how employees respond to potential threats that could compromise their security.
We recommend carrying out these types of campaigns every three months to provide valuable insights into how vulnerable your business is to phishing attacks. They are vital for evaluating the effectiveness of current security measures and highlighting areas and specific employees that need further training.
Simulated phishing campaigns can play a key role in educating employees on phishing tactics and guiding them on how to handle suspicious emails responsibly.
Cyber Security Awareness Month should also be treated as a starting point rather than a one-off campaign. The most effective organisations reinforce secure behaviours throughout the year through short reminders, leadership support, refresher training, tested reporting routes and regular checks that key controls are working as intended.
Review your cyber security policies and processes
Having a robust cyber security policy and correct processes in place will encourage your employees to practise good cyber security.
Your cyber security policy should explain what employees should report, how quickly they should report it and who they should contact if they notice:
- a suspicious email or link / attachment
- a computer performing unusually
- an unauthorised device or person at work
- a breach of the guidelines contained within the policy.
- data loss or leakage
- unauthorised access attempts
- lost or stolen devices, including laptops, phones, removable media or any device used to access business systems
