Preparing For Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October marks National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder for public agencies to review and strengthen their defenses. This year, the stakes are even higher.

The rapid rise of AI tools has transformed how agencies operate – and how cybercriminals launch attacks. With the automation and scalability of AI, hackers can probe for vulnerabilities, crack passwords and bypass traditional safeguards faster than ever before.

The risks extend beyond automation. Phishing campaigns are more convincing, deepfakes can impersonate trusted leaders, and social engineering scams are harder to detect. These tactics target both individuals and institutions, eroding trust and threatening sensitive public sector data.

For government agencies tasked with safeguarding critical systems and citizen information, awareness is essential. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is your opportunity to educate teams, reassess vulnerabilities and prepare for evolving cyber threats. Keep reading to learn how your agency can stay a step ahead of cyber criminals.

What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month About?

Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. What began as a call to action has grown into a nationwide effort, bringing together government agencies, private industry and the public to strengthen cybersecurity. The goal is simple but important: help people understand the risks of today’s digital world and encourage actions that reduce vulnerabilities online.

Over the years, October has become a collaborative movement, not just a campaign. Federal agencies, technology providers and local organizations all play a role. They educate communities, share resources and spark dialogue about cyber threats impacting the public and private sectors.

At the center of this effort is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA leads national initiatives to protect critical infrastructure and provides resources for organizations of all sizes, including programs to improve resilience against cyber threats. It ensures Cybersecurity Awareness Month isn’t just symbolic, but drives real action and preparedness.

Why Do We Need Cybersecurity?

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, posing serious risks for businesses, governments and individuals alike. For public agencies, the stakes are especially high. Your staff work with sensitive data every day, from financial records to citizen information, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.

Attacks take many forms. Malware is designed to infiltrate systems, steal data or disrupt networks. Ransomware, one of the most damaging types of malware, locks critical files or systems until a ransom is paid. Meanwhile, phishing scams trick users into disclosing private information through emails, websites or messages that appear legitimate. These tactics are becoming increasingly common against government systems.

Unfortunately, many agencies face vulnerabilities due to aging legacy systems or limited IT resources. A single breach could cost millions in downtime, disrupt essential services (like emergency response or utility billing), and erode public trust.

That’s why cybersecurity is a necessity. By taking preventative measures now – instead of reactive measures after an attack occurs – your agency can protect sensitive information and ensure operational continuity.

How to Protect Your Business?

Public agencies can take several proactive steps to protect themselves against today’s cyber threats. The first line of defense is strong password management. Your agency should require strong, unique passwords, regular updates, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

Next, make sure all your systems and software are updated. Many ransomware attacks target outdated platforms with known vulnerabilities, so timely patches and continuous monitoring are critical. IT teams must stay informed on new threats and adjust defenses accordingly.

Equally important is training employees to recognize and report phishing attempts. Staff should avoid clicking on unverified links and immediately flag suspicious emails to IT.

Finally, agencies should consider migrating to the cloud. According to a recent research study by AWS and CentralSquare, 57% of public administrators view “enhanced cybersecurity” as a key benefit of cloud-based systems. The right cloud solutions offer enterprise-grade protection, 24/7 continuous monitoring and built-in redundancy – helping agencies strengthen resilience while reducing risk. Together, these measures can help protect your sensitive data and maintain key public services.

Assess Your Vendors’ and Partners’ Security

Cybersecurity doesn’t stop at your agency’s firewall. It extends to the vendors and partners you rely on every day. A single weak link in the supply chain can expose your systems to unnecessary risk.

Supply chain attacks have become increasingly common, with cybercriminals targeting third-party vendors and suppliers to infiltrate larger organizations. These attacks exploit the trust and access given to external entities, making them difficult to detect until it’s too late.

To reduce these risks, agencies should conduct regular security evaluations of partners, suppliers and vendors. Implementing strict access controls and continuously monitoring third-party activities will help prevent breaches. When selecting new vendors, choose companies that embed cybersecurity into every product. Your agency’s security is only as strong as your supply chain.

CentralSquare is one vendor you don’t need to worry about. Our cloud-based, AWS-hosted public admin software is built with security in mind – while also helping agencies streamline operations, reduce cost of ownership and improve citizen engagement. By prioritizing partnerships with secure, trustworthy vendors like CentralSquare, your agency can stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.

What to Expect Next?

Staying prepared means staying alert. What new threats are emerging? Where is your agency vulnerable?

Unfortunately, cyber attacks are quickly evolving with the help of AI. Artificial intelligence lowers the barrier for cybercriminals to commit fraud, steal identities and generate convincing deepfakes.

You can expect more targeted, faster-moving campaigns that blend automated tools with social engineering. That’s why vigilance matters. Verify calls, texts, emails and social media messages before you click, share credentials or approve payments.

According to CISA, malware, phishing, and ransomware are becoming increasingly common and can impact both individuals and large organizations. It’s important to pair user awareness with layered defenses, vendor due diligence, and continuous patching to reduce agency liability.

Ready to strengthen your AI cybersecurity ahead of the next wave of threats? We can help. Schedule a discovery call today to learn how CentralSquare’s secure, cloud-based solutions support modern cybersecurity, simplify operations and protect sensitive data.