Cybersecurity
Human Firewalls Are Key to Security
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is just as much a game changer for cyber criminals as it is for legitimate organizations. The technology makes it easier and cheaper for threat actors to make convincing fakes to snare unaware employees.
Just as members invest in technology solutions to secure their networks, they also need to educate employees about how to spot and avoid scams, essentially making them human firewalls. The new Click Wisely campaign is designed for that purpose.
Human Element Contributes to 62 Percent of Breaches
According to the Verizon 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report, a human element is involved in 62 percent of all cyber-breaches (an incident that results in the confirmed disclosure—not just potential exposure—of data to an un-authorized party).
This report also notes that for public entities, phishing was the initial access vector in:
- 20 percent of cyber-incidents
- 8 percent of credential abuse
Launch Click Wisely Campaign
New Click Wisely wall posters and digital images call attention to how AI makes scams convincing, and they remind employees to stop, think, delete when they encounter common social engineering tactics.
Members can download Click Wisely materials from the Resource Library. Members can request to have printed posters mailed to them.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness month, so it is a good time to launch the Click Wisely campaign. However, as cyber-attacks are an ongoing threat to public entities, members are encouraged to provide employee training and awareness on the issue throughout the year.
‘How and Why to Click Wisely’ Webinar Oct. 14 and 22 for All Employees
The webinar “How and Why to Click Wisely” is for all member employees and is presented live twice: Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. and Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. MCIT asks leaders to encourage their employees to attend one of the broadcasts.
Attendees must register for the webinar from the Events page.
The session covers:
- Common social engineering tactics
- Importance of practicing good email and data hygiene
- Methods to shutdown misdirected payment fraud
- Complications arising from artificial intelligence
Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, as well.