As a Partner and Champion with the National Cybersecurity Alliance and StaySafeOnline.org, PennCyber is committed to promoting a safer and more secure Pennsylvania during October, Cybersafety Awareness Month.

Scott Davis, chairman of the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania, says the 2025 theme, “Stay Safe Online,” emphasizes simple, practical steps individuals, families, and businesses can take to protect themselves from the growing variety of online threats.

“Small actions can make a big difference,” Davis said. “With the ‘Core 4’ steps, everyone — regardless of how tech-savvy they are — has the tools at hand to boost their online safety.”

PennCyber is Pennsylvania’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cybersecurity awareness, education, and best practices across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

They work to foster a safer, more resilient digital environment for all residents of Pennsylvania.

This October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month will be guided by the following Core 4 messages:

Use strong passwords and password manager. What makes a password “strong?” How password managers work, why they reduce risk, how to choose one.

Turn on multifactorial authentication. What MFA is; the difference it makes even if a password is compromised; how to enable MFA on common accounts (email, banking, social media).

Recognize and report social engineering scams. Phishing, smishing, AI scam phone calls; common tactics; how to spot red flags; what to do when you’ve received a suspicious message.

Update your software. Why software updates matter (security-patching, closing vulnerabilities); what happens when devices/software are outdated; tips for keeping everything current (phones, computers, apps, IoT devices).

These four steps will be the backbone of PennCyber’s statewide campaign and will inform weekly topics, outreach, and media features.

These align with the national Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme and messaging.

Cybersecurity threats — from identity theft and phishing to ransomware and data breaches — affect all Pennsylvanians.

Often, the difference between being harmed or staying safe is awareness, timely action, and avoiding complacency. By focusing on the Core 4, PennCyber aims to equip viewers with tools that are simple, accessible, and effective.

For more information, contact Scott Davis, chairman, PennCyber, email: sdavis@penncyber.com or call 1-717-648-9080.