10 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Ideas Proven to Engage Employees (+ Why it Actually Matters)

Here's why cybersecurity awareness month matters

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month...

And this year, we'd strongly urge you to go beyond just a few awareness-raising activities that most organizations pay lip service to and really make it count.

Online threats have exponentially boomed over the past few years, data breaches last year were up by 72%, surpassing previous records.

And of these breaches, around 82% were the result of human error.

Many employees might consider cybersecurity to be something that just happens quietly in the background whilst they get on with their day-to-day tasks.

But as you already know, this isn't the case.

Online security isn’t just the Security Team or IT department’s responsibility - it’s a collective effort.

Every employee has their part to play in building your organization's human firewall.

So why is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so important?

October may just be one month, but the risks are always present - and constantly evolving in sophistication.

And so it's a an opportunity to drill home the message that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility, and that every employee has a part to play in it.

Participating in training and following best practices are absolutely essential...

But this doesn't mean they have to be boring, compliance exercise that employees simply have to endure without changing their behavior in any meaningful way.

At Hoxhunt, we believe Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect time to begin creating a company culture for security and changing how employees view their role in keeping your organization safe.

Looking for engaging ideas to get employees genuinely invested this Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Here are some of the best ones we've collected over the years here at Hoxhunt 👇

10 Cybersecurity awareness month ideas

1. Awareness posters 

Remember all the ubiquitous posters that adorned our school classroom walls?

Why not do the same at the office?

It’s a fun and easy way to remind people just how important cybersecurity is while also injecting a sense of camaraderie and fun into the workday.

Our personal favourite is this ‘Keep Calm and Change Your Password’ poster. 

2. Host a lunch 'n' learn

Hosting a cybersecurity lunch and learn is a simple, easy way to engage employees in a relaxed setting while providing valuable education on critical cybersecurity topics - and is remote worker friendly too.

Your lunch and learn doesn't need to be too intense.

Keep things casual, yet informative, covering things like the latest cybersecurity threats, best practices for protecting sensitive information, and the importance of maintaining good security hygiene.

Be sure to encourage questions and discussions, so can get to grips with cybersecurity concepts.

If you're hosting this in-person, you might want to provide a free lunch to boost attendance.

3. Make noise on your organization’s internal channels

Whatever else you've got planned for the month, make sure you're raising awareness about cybersecurity across all of your organization's communication channels.

Use graphics, videos, and infographics to capture attention.

Whilst just plastering your messaging across these channels won't be enough to change attitudes, this is an effective means of keeping Cybersecurity Awareness Month top of mind for employees.

4. Movie night

Afterwork activities are a great way to build team morale, and movie nights are a great way to bond.

We suggest the cornball ‘90s throwback The Net starring Sandra Bullock, or if you’re looking for something a little bit more highbrow, try 1995’s Hackers or 1999’s The Matrix — both of which show an inordinate amount of hurried typing and people saying “I’m in” out loud when they get into a network.

Our personal favourite is 1982’s Tron starring a young Jeff Bridges which might not be directly about hacking, but does (in its own special way) show just what havoc a bad program can create. 

5. Phish your employees 

Run phishing simulation attacks to test employees' awareness and response to potential phishing threats.

These will give employees a genuine feel for what phishing attacks look like in the wild, and how easy it is to fall for them.

Follow up with targeted training sessions for those who fell for the simulation and share overall results with the entire organization to highlight the importance of vigilance.

Did you know Hoxhunt has a ‘Spicy’ 🌶 mode that can simulate emails coming from just about anyone in your company?

If you’ve ever wanted to give (for example) the marketing team a scare, try phishing them with a simulated email from the COO asking them “who hacked our Twitter account?” with a (fake, of course) link to a (not real) Twitter post.

If you click on the link, you fail the test.

This is because hurried, anxious, and fearful employees often lead to reckless cybersecurity behaviour, so be sure to show them that being skeptical and patient can pay off in the long run. 

6. Bring in a speaker to tell a cyber horror story

Capitalize on the spooky theme of October and invite a speaker to share real-life cyber horror stories can be a powerful way to highlight the potential consequences of cybersecurity lapses.

Facts and figures have their place, but a story/narrative is far more likely to stick with people.

That’s because our brains are hard-wired to remember stories and narratives - or, to be more specific, general ideas - than they are individual facts and figures.

Bringing a great storyteller such as a guest speaker into your organisation to talk about cybersecurity issues is a great way to create a more memorable experience for your employees than sitting them down and fire-hosing them with information.

A well-told and true story about a phishing attack will stay in the minds of folks far longer than just attending a seminar. 

These stories, often filled with drama and suspense, can illustrate the impact of cyber-attacks on businesses and individuals, making the risks more tangible.

A speaker with firsthand experience or expertise in cybersecurity can provide insights into how these incidents occurred and what could have been done to prevent them.

7. Change your passwords

What better way to celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month than by simply (and ceremoniously) changing your passwords?

A 2018 study by PCMag showed that 35% of people surveyed never change their passwords.

It’s recommended to change your passwords at least once every 90 days, and every 2-4 weeks if you work in the cybersecurity industry. 

Hoxhunt empowers your employees to shield your organization from threats. Our security awareness training is trusted by the world’s leading cybersecurity professionals - maximizing training outcomes by serving every user a personalized learning path that measurably changes behavior.

8. Create a cybersecurity-themed escape room

Creating a cybersecurity-themed escape room is a fun and immersive way to teach employees about cybersecurity principles.

Give participants puzzles and riddles related to cybersecurity concepts, such as identifying phishing emails and cyber threats, recognizing secure, strong passwords, and understanding encryption, to "escape" the room.

This hands-on experience reinforces learning by requiring participants to apply their knowledge in a practical, game-like environment.

9. Introduce cybersecurity office hours

Introducing cybersecurity office hours provides employees with dedicated time to ask questions and raise concerns about cybersecurity in a judgment-free, supportive environment.

Designate a cybersecurity expert or team member to be available during these hours to address any queries, provide guidance on best practices, and offer personalized advice.

This open-door policy encourages employees to seek help without fear of judgment, promoting a culture of openness and continuous improvement.

Regular office hours ensure that cybersecurity remains a priority and that employees feel supported in their efforts to protect sensitive information and uphold security protocols.

10. Run a cybersecurity quiz at the end of the month

Ending Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a team quiz can be an enjoyable and competitive way to reinforce what employees have learned throughout the month.

This quiz can cover various topics discussed during the month, from phishing detection to complex passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Gamified cyber security training works. So, introduce gamified elements into your awareness-raising efforts to engage employees and make the learning experience something people can actually enjoy.

For example, set up a leaderboard for phishing quiz results, offer badges for completing training modules, or host a capture-the-flag event where employees solve cybersecurity puzzles.

A company-wide quiz will not only test employees’ understanding but will also highlight areas that may need further attention, guiding future training efforts.

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How to maximize the impact of your Cybersecurity Awareness Month efforts

Take cybersecurity seriously, not yourself 

Cybersecurity is, of course, a very big deal as it’s an easy way for a company to lose millions of dollars, dozens of jobs, a lot of credibility from the public.

Having said that, you’re likely to lose the patience of your employees if you constantly talk about it from a ‘doom and gloom’ viewpoint.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good opportunity to treat this very important subject with a more lighthearted approach.

At risk of misquoting Mary Poppins, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” holds true even when talking about cybersecurity, phishing, and other malicious actor practices. 

Set clear, achievable goals

Define what success looks like for your Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The worst thing you can do here is run activities simply for the sake of it.

Instead, make sure you have an end goal in mind.

Even if its just raising awareness - think about how you're going to measure this.

This could include metrics such as increased participation in training, reduction in phishing simulation click rates, or improvements in cybersecurity knowledge scores.

Setting clear goals helps to focus efforts and measure the impact of your initiatives.

Celebrate Cy-BOO!-Security Month 

As we mentioned before, Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Halloween falling on the same month gives you an excellent opportunity to celebrate two events at once.

Let’s face it: there’s nothing spookier than cybersecurity.

It’s an entire industry devoted to people pretending to be others, and tricking with very little treats.

Luckily for us, Cybersecurity Awareness Month happens to fall in October each year so we can double-up on two fun themes at once. 

Use behavioral science principles

Using behavioral science can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your cybersecurity awareness initiatives.

Here are a few principles to consider:

• Nudge theory: Subtly guide employees towards better security behaviors through small prompts or changes in the environment. For example, place reminders about strong passwords at the point where employees create or update their passwords.
• Social proof: Highlight how peers are engaging in secure behaviors. Sharing statistics or testimonials about departments with high compliance rates can motivate others to follow suit.
• Incentives and rewards: Use positive reinforcement to encourage participation in cybersecurity activities. Recognize and reward employees who consistently follow best practices or participate in training sessions.

Engage leadership

Having visible support from senior management can amplify the importance of cybersecurity awareness.

Encourage executives to participate in events, send out communications, and endorse the initiatives.

Their involvement can signal to employees that cybersecurity is a priority for the entire organization.

Go big on simulations

You can drill employees on how to identify phishing attempts all you want, but without  practice with realistic threats, you're unlikely to actually reduce human risk in any concrete way.

To train your employees effectively, you need to send them simulations.

Because if employees can successfully spot and report simulated attacks...

They'll be able to catch real threats too.

If you're not running any simulations right now, October is the perfect time to begin testing employees.

Keep up momentum once Cybersecurity Awareness Month is over

If you do successfully engage employees over the course of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, be sure to use this as a springboard to strengthen your security culture.

This doesn't mean you have to continually run events and shout about cybersecurity across internal channels.

But best practices like password managers, MFA and staying vigilant (whether that be of simulated or real threats) shouldn't only be top-of-mind for just October.

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Is it time to switch up your security awareness training?

Effective security awareness programs do more than just meet compliance.

They build a foundation of security-first practices.

And if you want to create measurable, lasting impact, you'll need to make sure your training is actually changing employee behavior and fostering a culture committed to rigorous security standards.

Here's what sets Hoxhunt's security awareness training apart from the pack:
Increase your training engagement

Increased engagement

Create a self-reinforcing training experience by using reward-based incentives that motivate your employee participation.

Relevant, role based training

Customize training based on factors such as employees’ role and location.

Training embedded into your employees’ workflow

Automatically train your employees during their workday with micro-training moments delivered in the workflow.

Compliance easily achievable

Our training library contains ready-made and easily customizable training content packages to meet important regulatory requirements.

Powerful dashboards to track your progress

Get a detailed understanding of your organization's vulnerability levels by drilling down to country or department-level results.

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month FAQ

What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an annual campaign aimed at educating individuals and organizations on the importance of cybersecurity.

It encourages everyone to take proactive steps to protect themselves online by following best practices for digital safety.

The month-long initiative is supported by a range of stakeholders, including private sectors, educational institutions, and cybersecurity professionals, all working together to raise awareness about the growing threats in cyberspace.

What is the purpose of Cybersecurity Awareness Month for businesses?

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture by educating employees about common threats, such as phishing and ransomware, and promoting best practices to safeguard critical infrastructure.

This dedicated month serves as an opportunity to enhance your organization’s cybersecurity education and awareness program, ensuring that all employees—from entry-level staff to executives—understand their role in protecting sensitive data and business accounts.

What are some common cybersecurity threats addressed during Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, businesses typically focus on threats such as phishing, ransomware, and insider threats.

Training sessions often cover foundational privacy principles, the importance of using robust passwords, and how to identify suspicious activities or communications.

By addressing these common types of cyber threats, businesses can help employees understand the tactics used by cybercriminals and take action against cybersecurity attacks.

How can employees make cybersecurity a part of everyday life?

Incorporating cybersecurity into everyday life involves adopting key habits and practices:

• Use strong passwords and password managers: Regularly update and manage your passwords securely.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts to protect against unauthorized access.
• Secure devices: Ensure that devices are protected with updated antivirus software and that systems are regularly patched.
• Stay vigilant: Recognize and report suspicious activities, phishing attempts, and other online threats.