October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Georgia emergency management officials are encouraging residents, businesses and government agencies to take simple steps to protect themselves from increasingly common online threats.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is joining the nationwide campaign led by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This year’s theme is “Securing the Next 250,” emphasizing protection of the nation’s infrastructure and the services Americans depend on as the country enters its next era.

While cybersecurity can sound like an issue primarily affecting large businesses and government agencies, many of the precautions promoted during October also apply to individuals and families in Chattooga County.

Email and text-message phishing attempts, compromised passwords and fraudulent links can give criminals access to personal information, financial accounts, email and social-media accounts.

GEMA/HS Director Josh Lamb said cybersecurity is no longer simply an information-technology issue. Cybersecurity now plays a role in protecting communities, infrastructure and services used by Georgians every day.

Among the steps recommended during Cybersecurity Awareness Month are:

• Use strong, unique passwords rather than using the same password for several accounts.
• Turn on multifactor authentication when it is available. This requires an additional method of verification before someone can access an account.
• Watch for phishing attempts in emails, text messages, direct messages and phone calls. Verify who sent a message before clicking a link or downloading an attachment.
• Keep software and devices updated, including installing security updates when they become available.
• Back up important information so files can be recovered if a computer or system is compromised.

Federal cybersecurity officials recommend passwords that are long, random and unique and encourage the use of password managers. They also recommend enabling automatic software updates when possible.

The precautions are especially important when an unexpected message creates a sense of urgency — such as claiming an account will immediately be closed, a payment is overdue or personal information must be verified. Instead of following a link contained in an unexpected message, consumers can independently contact the company, bank or organization involved.

Businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations are also encouraged to train employees to recognize phishing attempts, require strong passwords and multifactor authentication, regularly back up data and have plans in place for responding to cyber incidents.

Georgia requires utilities and government agencies to report cybersecurity incidents to GEMA/HS. Private citizens who believe an online account or personal information has been compromised should contact the appropriate financial institution, company or law-enforcement agency depending on the circumstances.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues throughout October, with the overall message that relatively simple security measures can make it more difficult for criminals to gain access to personal information, accounts and computer systems.