California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued guidance for consumers and businesses to enhance their online security as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed each October. Emphasizing the importance of proactive measures against cyber threats, Bonta stated, “During Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond, I urge Californians and businesses to take online threats seriously. Don’t wait for a cyberattack or data breach to prioritize your protection – the time to act is now."
The 2024 theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is "Secure Our World," highlighting straightforward strategies to safeguard personal and professional digital environments. Bonta outlined four key practices: using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication (MFA), exercising caution with unsolicited messages, and keeping software updated.
Strong passwords should be long, random, unique, and incorporate various character types. Password managers can assist in maintaining robust passwords across different accounts. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring additional identity verification during logins.
Caution is advised regarding unsolicited messages that request personal information. Such phishing attempts often mimic reputable sources to extract sensitive data from individuals. Users are encouraged to report these attempts and delete any phishing messages.
Regular software updates are crucial for device security. Ignoring update alerts can leave systems vulnerable; thus, users should ensure they have the latest security patches installed.
Additional resources for data privacy and cybersecurity are available on the California Department of Justice's privacy web page and through agencies like the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Businesses can access further resources via CISA’s dedicated business webpage.
California law mandates notification of residents if their unencrypted personal information is compromised in a data breach. Details about this requirement are available on the state’s data security breach reporting webpage.
For more details on Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities, visit the official website.