Every year, October 1 marks the kickoff of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. GuidePoint Security is proud to join the national effort, championed by the US National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) in collaboration with the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to amplify essential cybersecurity practices under the 2025 theme: Stay Safe Online.

The “Core 4” Security Habits Everyone Should Practice

The NCA highlights four essential habits for safer online behavior. These aren’t new, but their consistent practice can prevent the majority of common cybersecurity attacks. Most are equally applicable to our personal and professional lives:

1. Use strong passwords and a password manager. Weak or reused passwords remain one of the biggest risks. Password managers simplify security by generating and storing unique, complex passwords across accounts.
2. Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra barrier for attackers, making it significantly harder to access accounts even if a password is stolen.
3. Recognize and report scams. Phishing remains the most common entry point for attackers. Employees should feel empowered not only to spot suspicious messages but to report them quickly. (To the grandparents – recognize and delete without opening.)
4. Update your software. Regular updates close security gaps that cybercriminals are quick to exploit. Automating updates where possible reduces the risk of human error.

How Can You Help Your Organization Stay Safe Online?

First, start with yourself by implementing at least one of the Core 4 habits today. There is no time like the present to turn on MFA. Next, educate yourself: check out our list of Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities and resources below. Then spread the message! Share GuidePoint’s blogs, webinars, and resources with your peers.

GuidePoint Security’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month Activities Include: 

• Getting Started in Cybersecurity: Download this ebook from our team at GuidePoint Security University (GPSU) designed to help readers land their first job in cybersecurity.
• Top security tips: Follow along on LinkedIn as GuidePoint cybersecurity experts share their tips for driving a strong security posture and a sound security culture for your organization.
• Partner insights: Learn weekly practical insights from contributed blogs from some of GuidePoint Security’s key partners, including Asterix, Okta, Tenable and Zscaler/Red Canary
• The Brick House Webinar: Hear the latest tips and trends on incident response and threat intelligence.
• The GRIT Ransomware and Cyber Threat Insights Report and webinar presentation: Get an insider’s perspective from the GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team (GRIT) on the most significant ransomware attacks of Q3 2025 and what you can do to protect your organization. Coming soon.
• GPSEC events: Consider attending an upcoming GPSEC event. GPSEC brings together C-level executives, security engineers, consultants, and industry-leading vendors into a 1-day, intimate, and interactive format.
  

Small Steps, Big Impact

This October, take a moment to reflect: Are you and your employees practicing the Core 4 every day? Small steps, done consistently, can stop big threats. Cybersecurity is everyone’s job, and together, we can all do our part to stay safe online.