Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers

6 Practical Steps to Improve Cybersecurity

Written by Mari Wagner | Oct 22, 2026, 12:33:40 PM

Cyber threats do not take a break, and protecting your organization starts with the choices you make every day. As a key part of your organization’s first line of defense, your awareness and actions can play a meaningful role in strengthening cybersecurity. Keep these practical tips top of mind.

  1. Use email safely. Email keeps business moving, but it can also create risk. Use a spam filter and never open or download attachments from unknown senders.
  2. Create a strong password. A strong password helps protect our network. Choose one that is 8–64 characters, uses a memorable phrase, and avoids names, birthdays, dates, or common words.
  3. Make your password hard to guess. Use a different password for every account and skip common choices like “12345” or “welcome.” Strong, unique passwords can make it much harder for cyber threats to spread from one account to another.
  4. Don’t click on questionable links. When a link raises even a hint of doubt, pause before you click. Taking a moment to verify it can help protect your information and keep cyber threats from gaining a foothold.
  5. Ask before downloading. Before you install or download any software, make sure you have approval from your manager or a member of the IT team. That extra step can help protect your device, your data, and your organization from unnecessary risk.
  6. Speak up. If something seems off and you suspect malware, phishing, or another cyber threat, reach out for support right away. Asking for help early can make a meaningful difference in protecting both your information and your organization.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and small actions can have a big impact. By staying vigilant and following these best practices, you can help protect sensitive information, reduce risk, and strengthen your organization's overall security. Download the bulletin for more details.