What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Cybersecurity Awareness Month occurs annually in October. It was first launched in 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The purpose of this initiative is to highlight the importance of online safety and help individuals protect themselves in the digital world.

The Goal of Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The primary goals of Cybersecurity Awareness Month are to:

• Raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity for individuals and organizations.
• Educate the public on best practices for staying safe online.
• Promote resources that help people and businesses defend against cyber threats.
• Encourage collaboration between government, industry, and communities to strengthen cybersecurity.
  
  

Events and Activities

Over the years, Cybersecurity Awareness Month has grown into a global campaign that includes:

• Educational programs and workshops are hosted by schools, businesses, and nonprofits.
• Community challenges and competitions, such as capture the flag (CTF) events, where participants solve cybersecurity puzzles and challenges. For example, Huntress hosts a month-long CTF each October that allows individuals or teams to compete for prizes while learning hands-on skills.
• Discounts on security tools and software are offered by tech companies during October to encourage the adoption of cybersecurity solutions.
• Awareness campaigns, including webinars, social media challenges, and government-led initiatives focused on data protection and online safety.
   

For a deeper dive into the threats Cybersecurity Awareness Month addresses, see our post on what ransomware is and how it works.