Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025
Blog|by Leanne Bevan|1 October 2025

Every October, Cyber Security Awareness Month reminds you just how vital it is to stay safe online – whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go. In 2025, the campaign continues under the banner “Secure Our World”, with a focus on four simple yet powerful actions you can take to protect yourself and your organisation from cyber threats.
Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025 themes
Across the world, businesses, public services, and individuals alike face growing risks from phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. By embracing these four key behaviours, you’ll be better equipped to defend your digital life.
1. Update your software
You know those reminders to update your apps or operating system? Don’t ignore them. Software updates often contain critical security patches that fix vulnerabilities cyber criminals exploit. By keeping your devices up to date, you’re closing the door on many common attacks.
Benefits of updating your software regularly:
- Protects your business against known exploits
- Improves your device performance and stability
- Reduces the risk of malware infections
Tip: Turn on automatic updates wherever possible to stay protected without lifting a finger. Plus make sure your business has patch management software installed, so patches can be done automatically and in bulk.
Reports have found that almost 60% of data breaches could’ve been prevented by better patch management.
Patch management examples include: CyberSmart, ESET, Heimdal Security, ManageEngine and Threatdown. Get in touch to learn more.
2. Use strong passwords and a password manager
Weak or reused passwords are one of the easiest ways for attackers to gain access to your accounts. You should use long, random, and unique passwords for every login – and a password manager can help you do just that.
Benefits of using a password manager:
- Prevents credential stuffing attacks
- Makes managing multiple accounts easier
- Enhances your overall account security
Tip: Aim for passwords with at least 16 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols.
Examples include Keeper and ManageEngine. Talk to us if you want to learn more.
3. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring more than just a password to access your accounts. Whether it’s a code sent to your phone or an authenticator app, MFA makes it much harder for attackers to break in.
Benefits of using multi-factor authentication:
- Blocks unauthorised access even if your password’s stolen
- Strengthens security for your sensitive accounts (e.g. banking, email)
- Reduces the impact of phishing attacks on your business
Research by Microsoft shows that MFA can block more than 99.2% of account compromise attacks.
Tip: Use the most secure MFA method available – preferably an authenticator app or passkey.
Examples include Microsoft, ESET and Sophos.
4. Recognise and report phishing
According to IT Governance, phishing accounts for 93% of cyber-attacks in the UK. That’s a lot.
Phishing emails and messages are designed to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Stay alert and always verify the sender before engaging.
There are email security solutions that can help prevent phishing attempts from coming through. Plus, cyber security awareness training and phishing simulation tools you can use to train and test your employees to make sure they’re aware of dodgy emails and know how to report them.
Examples include ESET, Libraesva and Sophos.
Benefits of recognising and reporting phishing:
- Prevents data breaches and financial loss
- Helps your organisation respond quickly to threats
- Builds a culture of cyber vigilance
Cyber security awareness training can lead to a 78% reduction in the likelihood of an employee clicking on a phishing email. This makes implementing a security awareness training strategy a no-brainer.
Tip: If something feels off, report it. Most platforms have built-in tools to flag phishing attempts.
How we can help you stay secure
We understand that cyber security isn’t just a technical issue – it’s a business-critical priority. Whether you’re a small business, a public sector organisation, or part of a larger enterprise, we offer tailored solutions to help you.
Our cyber security team has knowledge across many key areas of cyber security. And our new (and free) seven layers of cyber security assessment helps you understand and plug gaps in your security. Also helping ensure compliance.
We’re proud to work with leading vendors that deliver robust, scalable cyber security solutions that fit your needs and budget.
- Implement MFA and password management tools across your organisation
- Automate software updates and patch management with trusted platforms
- Detect and respond to phishing threats using advanced email security solutions
- Educate your team with awareness training and phishing simulations
Let us help you build a cyber strong organisation – this Cyber Security Awareness Month and beyond.
Ready to strengthen your cyber defences?
Get in touch with us today. Explore how we can support your security strategy and book your free seven layers of security assessment now. Fill in the contact form below.
Contact Grey Matter
If you have any questions or want some extra information, complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch ASAP. If you have a specific use case, please let us know and we'll help you find the right solution faster.
By submitting this form you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use.
Leanne Bevan
Related News
Strengthen your cyber defences with our new Seven Layers of Security Assessment
We’re proud to announce the launch of our Seven Layers of Security Assessment, a comprehensive new service designed to help you identify vulnerabilities, strengthen your cyber posture, and ensure your organisation is protected from evolving threats. Multi-layered security for today’s...
How Maps in Fabric Empowers Businesses to Harness Location Data
Microsoft Maps in Fabric, a feature just announced at FabCon Europe, makes real-time geospatial insights simple. Whether you’re managing supply chains, tracking deliveries, or analysing a campaign’s performance, understanding “where” adds powerful context to your data. What makes Maps in...
Rethink Virtualization: Smarter, Simpler, More Cost-Effective
Thu 9 October 2025 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm GMT
Join Grey Matter and Scale Computing for a live webinar that cuts through the complexity – and the cost. With VMware costs rising and IT environments growing more complex, it’s time to explore a better way forward. In this webinar,...
Why you should upgrade to RAD Studio 13
RAD Studio 13 is here, ready to set new benchmarks for development speed, productivity and the developer experience. The new release also comes with an opportunity for you to upgrade to 13 Florence at a solid discount before prices increase...