Okay, I’ll admit it – I probably get more excited for Cybersecurity Awareness Month than most people. It’s a professional hazard. It has been 18 years since the first Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but this one feels particularly important. 

For starters, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – an operational component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – is steering towards a proactive and risk-based approach to cybersecurity with DHS KEVs and binding orders. 

Plus, the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) is actively enforcing cybersecurity laws and contemplating bringing a cyber expert on board.

In addition, we’re at an inflection point. After multiple years of scramble and survival mode, enterprises are finally getting their proverbial feet under them and are focusing on comprehensive strategies for the next phase.

The world is moving from reactive to proactive: From fear to risk management. From tedious manual operations to wisely designed automation. From “try to keep up” to “move forward with intention.”

And perhaps, we are getting back to the fundamentals of cybersecurity rather than chasing the shiniest possible objects.

It’s an exciting time, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.

I want you to seize the moment, so I’m kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a highlight reel of some ideas, resources and activities we have going on this month at Ivanti. Here’s what you can do now:

See yourself in cyber

That’s the theme of this Cybersecurity Awareness Month. I love it because it reminds us we all can play a role in shoring up the cybersecurity posture of our organization – and protecting ourselves, too. 

Even though cybersecurity has a lot to do with technology, there’s a deeply human element. Every individual should know how to protect against phishing attacks, when and how to update devices and software and how their everyday activities fit into the organization’s cybersecurity posture. 

Follow us on social and stay tuned for our CISO video series

Ivanti is producing an educational video series to highlight the role of the CISO. This series is designed to create awareness and excitement – especially within the younger generation –about STEM fields and, specifically, the importance of a CISO. 

We’ll be interviewing members of our CISO Advisory Board and sharing the videos on social – be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter if you don’t already! 

Focus on the first principles of cybersecurity

Speaking of getting back to basics, it’s a great time to review the NSA's “first principles of cybersecurity.” These guidelines are intended to not just help prevent a breach but lower the probability of a successful cyberattack. 

The first principles include: 

  • Domain separation. 
  • Process isolation. 
  • Resource encapsulation.
  • Least privilege.
  • Layering. 
  • Abstraction. 
  • Data hiding. 
  • Modularity. 
  • Simplicity. 
  • Minimization.

Get ready for the Q2/Q3 Ransomware Index Report

This report, which we regularly conduct with Cyber Security Works and Cyware, is always highly anticipated and gets lots of attention, so we’re looking forward to the release of the next one. This next report will look at Q2/Q3 trends in ransomware. 

The report will also detail: 

  • New vulnerabilities tied to ransomware. 
  • APT groups associated with ransomware. 
  • The most active ransomware families. 
  • New weakness categories related to ransomware. 

Can’t wait for the Q2/Q3 report? Check out the Q1 report.

Register for our Patch Tuesday webinar

As we do every month, we’ll recap the Microsoft and third-party security patches released on Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of the month; in this case, Oct. 11). Register to hear discussions on things to watch out for, products to test adequately and which patches should be the highest priority to roll out.  

Listen to the Everywhere Workplace podcast

Our podcast contains information to help you thrive in – not just survive – the Everywhere Workplace. Check out our latest podcast episodes for tips on how to make managing your flexible workforce easy and secure! We recently sat down with Steve Brasen, Managing Research Director at EMA, to discuss strengthening security with digital employee experience. 

And to learn about the changing world of technology and cybersecurity, tune into our Ivanti Security Insights Podcast.

That’s a lot – and there’s more to come. Here’s to moving forward with intention, strategy and better cybersecurity posture than ever before.