Ghosts, goblins, scarecrows, witches - as if this time of year isn't scary enough - add a cyberattack on top and October turns into one frightening month. While we can’t protect you from this year's lil' critters, we can definitely steer you in the right direction when it comes to your online security.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and in today's world where nearly everything we do is accessed online it's important to make cyber security part of the conversation. Following the Sony hack last year, Insurance Services Group put together some information about cyber liability insurance and what business owners should know. One of the statistics that stuck in my mind is how much just ONE data breach can cost a business owner - an average of $5.85 million, according to security analysts.

Knowing this it's a good idea, if you haven't already, to think about your own online security. You don't have to be a business owner to have your information stolen. To help get you started we've posted some great tips and resources below, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. These tips are designed to help all Internet users keep personal information safe online.  

• Set strong passwords and don’t share them with anyone.
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.
• Maintain an open dialogue with your family, friends, and community about Internet safety.
• Limit the amount of personal information you post online and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely.
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The mission behind Cyber Security Awareness Month isn’t to scare you – it’s to educate you.

If you have questions about Cyber Liability Insurance, our commercial team would be more than happy to help. Feel free to call our main line, (425) 775-6446, at any time. Protecting yourself, your family, and your business is our number one priority.