October has quite a few awareness days and some of them are definitely worth talking about. The first one we are covering is something every one of us is concerned about – cybersecurity! October is cybersecurity awareness month and we are all very much concerned about the security of our private information.
This is the 21st annual recognition, as the President and US Congress drew attention to the importance of cybersecurity in October of 2004. The history of the commemoration is found at the Awareness Days website [LINK]:
“National Cybersecurity Awareness Month was first observed in 2004 as a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance. Since then, it has grown into a global awareness campaign, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity in our increasingly connected world.”
AMS and Cybersecurity
We certainly do live in an increasingly connected world. Where would we be, as a full-service fulfillment center, without this incredible Internet and electronic communications? At AMS we take cybersecurity very seriously.
AMS has a highly skilled in-house Internet Technology team that not only develops our systems, which are exceptionally precise and a foundation for our success, but they are also exceptionally secure. When we integrate our system with the systems of our clients, we fully protect the information of our clients’ customers. We know the importance of cybersecurity to our stakeholders.
Some ‘Stay Safe’ Recommendations
From the Awareness website we are offered the following recommendations on how to stay safe:
“Educate Yourself: Learn about common cyber threats, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware, and how to recognize and avoid them.
“Update Software: Ensure that your devices, operating systems, and software applications are up to date with the latest security patches.
“Use Strong Passwords: Create and regularly update strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and consider using a password manager.
“Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
“Back Up Data: Regularly back up your important data to secure and accessible locations to prevent data loss in case of cyberattacks.
“Share Knowledge: Educate friends, family, and colleagues about cybersecurity best practices and encourage them to participate in NCSAM.
“Stay Informed: Follow cybersecurity news, blogs, and resources to stay updated on the latest threats and security tips.”
What Else Can We Do?
We found some very good information available from Microsoft on how to protect your computer. We’re not going to quote the article, but simply offer the recommendations:
#1 Use a firewall
#2 Keep all software up to date
#3 Use antivirus software and keep it current
#4 Make sure your passwords are well-chosen and protected
#5 Don’t open suspicious attachments
#6 Don’t click unusual links in messages
#7 Avoid visiting sites that offer potentially illicit content
#8 Make sure anything you download comes from a trusted source
#9 Don’t use USBs or other external devices unless you own them
Let’s All Stay Safe
Most of us are aware of the precautions we listed, and yet the threats to our personal information keep evolving and increasing. They can appear in email, tweets, posts, online ads, messages, or attachments. We hope that our readers are determined and successful at keeping personal information safe!!
