Cybersecurity Awareness Month: What It Really Means to Me
October always feels a little special to me. It is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it takes me back to some of the most memorable moments of my career. Back when I was at the university hospital, I threw myself into creating awareness campaigns. Some were serious, but others had a playful twist, like flipping a colleague’s screen upside down if they left their laptop unlocked, or sending a funny Teams message to remind someone what could happen if we were not careful. To this day, people still tell me they remember those moments. And honestly, that is the point. Awareness sticks when it is engaging, memorable, and real.
From Awareness to Action
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is important, but real change happens when awareness moves beyond posters, slogans, or phishing simulations. Awareness is the starting point, not the finish line. It is what sparks better habits, encourages people to question before they click, and gives them the confidence to speak up when something does not look right.
When I think back to those awareness campaigns, the playful reminders worked because they turned knowledge into action. A flipped laptop screen was not just a joke. It was a tangible reminder of what could happen if we were not careful. That is what made people think twice the next time they walked away from their desks.
Awareness in Everyday Life
When I think about awareness, I do not see it as a checklist. To me, it is about how we show up in our everyday interactions with technology. It is recognizing that risks are not limited to emails and passwords. They are also in the partners we work with, the devices we connect, and the platforms we rely on without a second thought.
I have spent much of my career helping organizations see that cybersecurity does not stop at their front door. We are only as strong as the partners and tools we trust. And now with emerging technologies reshaping how we live and work, awareness has to stretch even further.
Awareness, in my mind, is less about fear and more about being curious, asking questions, and staying open to learning as the landscape changes. It is not static. It grows with us, and we have to grow with it. And as the landscape changes, one area where awareness is becoming especially important is the use of AI.
Responsible Use of AI
AI has been one of the most exciting shifts in technology during my career, but it is also one of the biggest reminders of why awareness matters. These tools can make us more efficient, creative, and connected, but only if we use them responsibly.
For me, responsible use means asking simple but important questions: Where is this data going? Who has access to it? What risks am I introducing by using this tool in this way? It is not about stopping innovation. It is about making sure innovation does not outpace our safeguards.
Awareness in the age of AI is knowing that our choices today will shape the way these tools impact us tomorrow. If we build habits of transparency, caution, and accountability now, we set ourselves up for a future where AI is a tool that supports us, not a hidden risk.
But awareness is not just about tools and technology. It is about people, and the culture we create together.
Culture and Community
The truth is, cybersecurity is not a one-person job. It is a collective effort. I have seen firsthand how awareness becomes part of the culture when people feel ownership. It is when teammates remind each other to lock their screens, when leaders talk openly about security, and when communities, whether inside organizations or out in the world, look out for each other.
That sense of connection goes beyond organizations. I have seen it in my own community too, whether running training sessions for seniors or helping friends and family recognize scams before they click. What I love most is knowing that in small, practical ways, I can help people stay safe in their digital lives. Awareness is powerful when it touches everyday lives.
Looking Ahead
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great reminder, but the truth is, awareness cannot be confined to a single campaign or a single month. It is about creating habits, cultures, and communities that carry it forward every day. I have seen how awareness can spark confidence, empower teams, and even protect the most vulnerable in our communities. And now, with emerging technologies and AI bringing both new opportunities and new risks, that commitment to awareness is more important than ever.
For me, this work has always been about more than systems or policies. It is about people, helping each other stay safe, informed, and ready for what is next. That is what cybersecurity awareness really means to me.
Maliha
Disclaimer: The content on this blog and website reflects a combination of my personal experiences, perspectives, and insights, as well as interviews and contributions from other individuals. It does not represent the opinions, policies, or strategies of any organization I am currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This platform serves as a personal space for sharing ideas, lessons learned, and meaningful reflections.
