HOW TO PROMOTE (AND CELEBRATE) CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an important global effort, with both individuals and organizations taking part — and for good reason.

Since its inception, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has become an international event led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to equip people and organizations with the resources they need to secure their data online and prevent cyber-attacks.

Threats to an organization’s data come from all angles: inside, outside, burnt out employees, even honest mistakes. The broad nature of the threatscape makes cybersecurity everyone’s responsibility.

Business leaders now recognize that cybersecurity is just as much their concern as it is for their partners in IT — meaning, it’s not just IT’s problem. Boards agree that cyber-threats pose a risk to the business, according to Gartner.

IBM’s most recent research shows the cost of a data breach continues to break records. The latest figures show data breaches rose by 12.7% since 2020, swelling to $4.35 million. Breaches due to remote work were on average $1 million higher.

Most often, several sources show these breaches involve a human element of some kind, like stolen credentials, falling victim to phishing scams, or even skills gaps.

The global Fortinet 2022 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report documents survey results from across the global enterprise that the cybersecurity skills gap has contributed to 80% of their documented breaches. What’s more, 64% of organizations surveyed have experienced breaches that resulted in loss of revenue, recovery costs, and/or fines.

Clearly, the security talent and skill shortages severely hamper business productivity and progress. The time is now to develop or strengthen your cybersecurity team.

Before long, virtually every organization will feel the impact that cybersecurity skill gaps have on their operations, their data, and their ability to transform. IDC predicts digital transformation-related IT skill shortages will affect 9 in 10 of organizations by 2025.

CISOs recognize that they must arm themselves and their organizations with the knowledge and skills to defend against the schemes brought on by attackers, prevent vulnerabilities in development or misconfigurations, and more.

In this blog, see how you can take part in any number of activities from Skillsoft and the National Cybersecurity Alliance to equip your organizations, your peers and colleagues, friends and family with information to protect yourself and others against threats.

Learn to Empower a more Secure Interconnected World & see yourself In Cybersecurity

The National Cybersecurity Alliance is dedicated to creating resources and communications for organizations to talk to their employees and customers about staying safe online.

Now in its 19th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact co-led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA).

Throughout the month, the organization hosts events, programs, and leads efforts to raise awareness. See what they have planned this month.

Learn to Manage Compliance for Data Protection and Privacy

Data has become one of the most valuable assets a company can hold—essential to business models that can include sensitive information. Breaches, therefore, can result not only in regulatory fines, but costly response and reputational damage.

In creating a compliance culture, organizations reduce risk and build an environment based on education and ethical practices.

Popular Cybersecurity Courses to consider this month

In recent years, security training has spiked amid increased phishing attempts and evolving attack vectors. In response, more CISOs are training their organizations to promote awareness and close skill gaps.

Whether it’s for cybersecurity awareness or to secure code and instill a security-focused culture among your teams, there are thousands of courses out there. However, looking at Skillsoft data, these 10 are among the most popular.

Provide Career-Defining Journeys for your Cybersecurity Team

Skillsoft’s Cybersecurity Career Journey is an enterprise solution that brings together multiple training opportunities that are personalized to the learner. It includes on-demand and live training, certification prep and hands-on labs, and more. It combines learning science, with up-to-date content to increase information retention and on-the-job application of new skills.

The Cybersecurity Career Journey is a prescriptive path to certification and skill development.

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