(TLP:CLEAR) Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 – Securing the Next 250

Author: Chase Snow

Created: Thursday, October 1, 2026 - 14:51

Categories: Cybersecurity, Security Preparedness

Summary: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated for public and private sector organizations to come together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. This year’s theme, Securing the Next 250, recognizes the nation’s 250^th anniversary and focuses on building a secure digital future. The campaign calls on all levels of government and organizations of every size to take part. It encourages state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, small and medium-sized businesses, and supply chain partners to adopt proactive measures that strengthen the security of the Homeland against ever-evolving threats.

How to Participate

We invite WaterISAC members and partners to join the conversation by sharing campaign content and promoting cybersecurity awareness within your own organization.

Follow WaterISAC on LinkedIn
Share or re-post WaterISAC’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month content
Download and customize campaign handouts (See the campaign themes below)
Promote Cybersecurity Awareness Month within your organization

2026 Campaign Themes

In each consecutive Security and Resilience Update (SRU) during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, WaterISAC will distribute a weekly, convenient, easy-to-read, one-page handout to help augment your security awareness refreshers and reminders. The handouts will be consistent with each of our 2026 campaign themes:

Week 1: Security Starts With You
Focus: Insider awareness, physical security, speaking up, and building a strong cybersecurity culture.
Week 2: Lock Down Your Logins
Focus: Multifactor authentication (MFA), password managers, and strong, unique passwords.
Week 3: Think Before You Click
Focus: Recognizing phishing, QR code scams, smishing, and reporting suspicious messages.
Week 4: Keep Your Tech in Check
Focus: Software updates, secure Wi-Fi, USB safety, and mobile security.

Become a Champion!

Every organization is invited to demonstrate its support for Cybersecurity Awareness Month by becoming a Champion. This year, WaterISAC is once again a Champion, and joins fellow ISACs/ISAOs, water and wastewater utilities, and other water sector entities as a Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 Champion Organization.

Becoming a Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion (National Cybersecurity Alliance) or partner (CISA) provides you with ready-made resources and a toolkit to demonstrate your support. Most importantly it includes a presentation and other content to share with your employees for security awareness training and reminders.

Original Source: https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month

Additional Reading:

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 12