In direct alignment with our commitment to advancing a safer digital environment for all, M3AAWG is proud to stand strong as a Champion of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a vital online safety and education initiative that is celebrating its 21st year—just one year older than M3AAWG itself. As a Cybersecurity Awareness Month champion, M3AAWG has committed to continuing to provide information to advise companies, individuals, and government agencies on how to protect our communities against online abuse.

This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is “Secure Our World” - an effort that directly aligns with M3AAWG’s vision of “A world free of online abuse. This year’s theme is focused on four easy ways for people to stay safe online:

• Use strong passwords.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication on all devices.  
• Recognize and report phishing.
• Install software updates on a regular basis.

An integral part of M3AAWG’s Priorities, Focus Areas, and Initiatives is educating the community on the key issues we face. Our ability to combat online abuse at the highest level depends on it. This year's “Secure Our World” theme also highlights the importance of teaching children to be responsible digital citizens. It's not enough to recommend best practices to adults and experienced internet users; we must also ensure that the next generation knows how to stay safe online.

“Internet usage is broadly adopted around the world, though non-technical users do not always have a good understanding of the dangers that they face when using websites and mobile apps.  As those users receive information to help them better understand the dangers that we at M3AAWG discuss every day, they will hopefully take the precautions necessary to better protect themselves when online. M3AAWG can help raise this awareness, and this month is only a small part of the difference M3AAWG can make. As more and more individuals adopt better practices, we will ideally be safer as a whole.” said Alex Brotman, Co-Chair of M3AAWG’s Data & Identity Protection Committee.

Since prevention starts with education, these efforts serve as strong starting points for keeping families and businesses safer from online dangers. Furthermore, as threats become increasingly sophisticated, the time is now to team up and spread the word.