October is widely recognized as Cyber Security Awareness Month—a time when organizations and individuals are reminded of the importance of staying vigilant in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. But at Forthright, we believe it’s time to go beyond awareness. That’s why we’re rebranding this month as Cyber Security Action Month.

Awareness is a great first step. It opens eyes and starts conversations. But in today’s threat landscape—where ransomware, phishing, and credential theft are daily realities—awareness alone isn’t enough. It’s time to act.

Throughout this month, we’ll be sharing a series of practical, often-overlooked steps your organization should be taking to strengthen your security posture. These aren’t complex overhauls or expensive tools. They’re foundational actions that, when done consistently, can significantly reduce your risk and protect your users and data.

Week 1 Focus: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Let’s start with one of the simplest, most effective actions you can take: ensuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enabled for all users.

MFA adds a critical layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity using more than just a password. Whether it’s a text message, an authenticator app, or a biometric scan, MFA makes it exponentially harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access—even if they’ve stolen a password.

Yet, despite its effectiveness, MFA is still not universally adopted. We often find that while organizations may enable MFA for some users—like IT admins or executives—many others are left unprotected. That’s a gap attackers are more than happy to exploit.

Your Action Item This Week:

• Audit your MFA coverage. Don’t assume it’s turned on for everyone—verify it.
• Prioritize high-risk accounts. Start with users who have access to sensitive data or critical systems.
• Make MFA the default. Where possible, enforce MFA across your organization, not just for select roles.

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a business imperative. And it starts with action.

Stay tuned throughout October as we continue to highlight actionable steps that will help you build a more resilient organization. Let’s move from awareness to action—together.