October is Cyber Awareness Month in Australia, a reminder that cyber security is everyone’s responsibility, no matter where or how you connect.
Threats don’t stop at the office door, and safe habits are everyone’s responsibility. By taking simple, impactful actions such as installing software updates, using strong and unique passphrases, and enabling multi-factor authentication, we can all contribute to a stronger cyber culture.
Throughout October, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is sharing weekly themes, resources, and tips to help individuals and organisations build better cyber security practices.
Cyber Awareness at Work
Most data breaches start with a simple mistake, clicking a phishing email, reusing a weak password, or leaving a device unlocked. A few key practices can make all the difference:
- Be cautious with emails. Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each system.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
- Consider using a password manager and Single Sign On (SSO) for convenience and security.
- Lock your computer when unattended.
- Keep all software and devices up to date to patch vulnerabilities quickly.
Cyber Awareness at Home
Your home is an extension of your digital workplace. Family members, smart devices, and home networks can all create opportunities for attackers if left unprotected.
Secure Your Setup
- Protect your Wi-Fi with encryption and strong passwords.
- Enable built-in security features on mobile devices.
- Regularly back up important files such as photos, financial documents, and schoolwork.
Stay Scam Aware
- Never trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from your IT desk, bank, or service provider. If it feels legitimate, ask for a case ID and independently verify the number before responding.
- Always check the sender’s email domain carefully. If in doubt, don’t respond, click links, or provide details. Attackers often use urgency to pressure you.
- Avoid clicking on links in unexpected texts or emails, especially on mobile devices.
Build Safe Family Habits
- Talk openly with your family about online safety, including social media, scams, and gaming.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for personal accounts.
AI Usage Awareness
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are powerful, but they’re not designed to be secure data vaults. Treat them carefully:
- Never upload sensitive or confidential information.
- Review privacy and sharing settings to ensure uploads aren’t retained or shared.
- Remember: AI is an assistant, not a storage system. When in doubt, keep private data out.
Why It Matters
Cyber security isn’t just an IT problem, it’s a people problem. Habits formed at home and in the office directly affect the safety of your workplace, your family, and your community. Cyber-attacks don’t stop at the office, and the line between personal and professional data is thinner than ever.
This Cyber Awareness Month, take time to review your habits, talk with your colleagues and family, and make small changes that add up to stronger protection.
Good habits make us all safer
Find out more about staying cyber safe:
- Visit the official Cyber Awareness Month 2025 site: actnowstaysecure.gov.au/cybermonth2025
- Explore advice and alerts at Cyber.gov.au
- Follow the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.
And if you’d like to go deeper into protecting your business specifically, you can also connect with the Cythera team for tailored advice: Learn More
