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5 Ways to Strengthen Cyber Defenses This Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a perfect opportunity to boost your organization's security posture. Here are five high‑impact actions you can launch today.

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1. Launch a Phishing Simulation

Educate staff on spotting suspicious emails by running a targeted simulation. Measure click‑through rates, then deliver micro‑training to those who need it.

2. Enforce Multifactor Authentication Everywhere

MFA blocks 99 % of credential‑stuffing attacks. Roll out authenticator apps or hardware tokens for VPN, email, and critical SaaS tools.

3. Patch "High" and "Critical" Vulnerabilities Weekly

Adopt a patch cadence that closes exploit windows quickly. Automate with WSUS, SCCM, or cloud‑native tools.

4. Review and Update Access Rights

Conduct a permissions audit to remove orphaned accounts and over‑permissioned roles—an easy win for least privilege.

5. Host a Lunch‑and‑Learn Session

Engage employees with real‑world breach stories, Q&A, and prizes for policy quiz winners. Reinforcement drives cultural change.

Bonus Tip: Celebrate Successes

Share metrics—reduced phishing clicks, faster patch cycles—to keep momentum going beyond October.

Need help executing? Total Assure's SAT platform, phishing simulations, and 24/7 SOC services make security engagement effortless. Request a demo.