Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 4 Habits Every Workplace Needs

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to evaluate how your business is protecting itself from today's biggest digital threats. The reality is that most cyberattacks don't happen because of elite hackers; they occur due to everyday habits like clicking on a bad link, skipping an update, or reusing a compromised password.

The good news? Small changes in daily routines can lead to significant protection.

Here are four cybersecurity habits every workplace needs to adopt:

1. Communication

Cybersecurity should be a regular topic of conversation, not just something IT worries about. Regularly discuss the risks your team might face and how to avoid them. For example:

• Include a short reminder in staff meetings about spotting phishing emails.

• Share news of recent scams in your industry to keep everyone alert.

  
  

When security becomes a normal part of the discussion, it feels less like "extra work" and more like second nature.

2. Compliance

Every business has rules to follow, whether it's HIPAA for healthcare, PCI for credit card payments, or simply protecting sensitive customer information. Compliance isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about protecting trust. Even if you're not in a highly regulated industry, your customers still expect you to safeguard their data. Falling short can damage your reputation and hurt your bottom line.

Make sure to:

• Regularly review your policies to ensure they match current regulations.

• Keep records of training and system updates.

• Make compliance a shared responsibility, not just an IT checkbox.

  
  

3. Continuity

If your systems go down tomorrow, how quickly can your business get back up and running? Continuity is all about being prepared.

Always:

• Ensure backups are running automatically and tested regularly.

• Have a plan in place for what to do if ransomware locks up your files.

• Practice your recovery steps before you need them.

  
  

Even a simple test, like restoring one critical file from backup, can prove whether your plan really works.

4. Building a Culture of Cybersecurity Habits

At the end of the day, your people are your first line of defense. Building a culture of security means making good cyber habits part of everyday work.

Here are some ways to make that happen:

• Encourage strong, unique passwords (or, even better, password managers).

• Require MFA (multifactor authentication) on all accounts that support it.

• Recognize employees who catch phishing attempts. This reinforces good habits and makes security a team win.

  
  

When security feels like a team effort, everyone gets better at it.

Security Is Everyone’s Job

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a reminder that keeping your business safe isn't just about software or hardware it's about people. By building strong habits around communication, compliance, continuity, and culture, you're not just avoiding threats; you're creating a workplace that takes security seriously every day.

Ready To Put These Habits Into Action?

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect time to take stock of your defenses and train your team to spot the threats that matter most. Don’t wait until an attack forces your hand. https://www.preferredofficetechnologies.com/schedule and let Preferred Office Technologies help you build a cyber-smart culture in your workplace. We proudly serve Arkansas and Oklahoma, and we are committed to keeping your business safe and secure.