SIA’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board Closes Out Cybersecurity Awareness Month

By Kasia Hanson, KFactor Global Security Advisory; SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board on October 28, 2024 |
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Kasia Hanson
Kasia Hanson – CEO and founder of KFactor Global Security Advisory – serves on SIA’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the Security Industry Association (SIA) Cybersecurity Advisory Board (CAB) is marking the occasion with a series of helpful content, tips and guidance on key cybersecurity topics. In this blog from SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board member Kasia Hanson – CEO and founder of KFactor Global Security Advisory – get to know the CAB and hear tips from our expert advisory board members.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and provide resources for individuals and organizations to stay safe online. This year’s theme, “Secure Our World,” emphasizes the need for daily actions to reduce online risks and protect our digital lives. Cybersecurity is part of our everyday lives and is something that we need to think about daily.  Protecting our digital lives, whether professional or personal, is critical.

The mission of SIA’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board is to contribute to the overall mission of SIA by providing cybersecurity thought leadership and domain expertise within the global security industry through information, insight and influence.

The committee identifies and analyzes cybersecurity topics relevant to SIA members and provides guidance and education as it relates to and/or impacts SIA members. Additionally, the committee guides SIA advisory boards, subcommittees and working groups on cybersecurity activities.

The Cybersecurity Advisory Board is comprised of the following individuals:

  • Chair: Wayne Dorris, Axis Communications
  • Vice Chair: Rachelle Loyear, Allied Universal
  • Immediate Past Chair: John Deskurakis
  • Antoinette King, Credo Cyber Consulting
  • Josh Chin, Net Force
  • Kasia Hanson, KFactor Global Security Advisory
  • John Gallagher, Viakoo
  • Will Knehr, i-PRO
  • Min Kyriannis, Amyna Systems
  • Pauline Norstrom, Anekanta Consulting
  • Bruce Webbe, Meta
  • Patrick J. Simon (Utilities Advisory Board Liaison), Beehive Technology Solutions
  • Teresa Wu, IDEMIA

As we close our Cybersecurity Awareness Month, our CAB team wanted to share some tips and resources for SIA members.

Wayne Dorris:

“Keep it simple; your processes and your consistent frequency are the most important for cyber hygiene, including

1) Encrypt and enable 2FA wherever you can.

2) Keep your software/firmware up to date as possible. The schedule is the important part- every week, month, quarter etc. Whatever you choose to pick it and keep up with it.

3) Change your privileged account passwords (root, administrator, etc) at least once a year, and more importantly when people leave the company or change roles who had access to those accounts.”

Min Kyriannis:

“Make sure everyone around you understands the most simplest cyber threats as it correlates with their lives. We all take technology for granted and become complacent with utilizing the tech without blinking an eye. It’s good to reassess everything we use periodically to ensure we are up to date (reviewing app security settings, changing passwords, etc.)”

Kasia Hanson:

“Be aware of phishing and promote awareness within your business and personal lives. Social engineering and phishing are the most common and effective methods for breaches. A 2022 Verizon breach report indicated that 82% of breaches involve a human element and 60% of those resulted from phishing. Learn to recognize attempts, educate your colleagues and family, be vigilant and suspicious, use strong passwords and two factor authentication, keep your software updated, avoid clicking on suspicious links (If it feels off, it likely is a phishing attempt) and be careful with your personal information or company data.“

Here are articles produced for Cybersecurity Awareness Month by the SIA CAB:

Resources

Event Sessions

During ISC East 2024, there are several cybersecurity sessions available. Click here to view and register today.

Fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness requires ongoing effort. Regularly conduct training sessions, share updates on emerging threats, and recognize employees who demonstrate good security practices. Make cybersecurity accessible and relevant by highlighting how it impacts both professional and personal lives.

By actively participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month and implementing year-round security practices, we can collectively work towards a safer digital world. Remember, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and small actions can make a significant difference in protecting our online presence.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.