Security Advisory: Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Human Risk Starts with Us

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a national initiative spotlighting the human side of cyber risk. 

Even with automation, analytics, and AI-enhanced defenses, one click or one missed cue can still trigger a breach. 

Recent ISI analysis of incident patterns, phishing trends, and user behavior confirms: 

• Most cyber incidents still begin with human action, not a technical flaw. 

• Awareness training alone isn’t enough and sustainable change requires habit-building. 

• Strong security cultures thrive when employees feel safe to pause, question, and report. 

WHY IT MATTERS 

Many security compromises today exploit human trust. 

Attackers rely on urgency, authority, or familiarity to drive instant reactions. 

When employees hesitate to report suspicious activity, small mistakes can escalate into costly incidents. 

Creating an environment that promotes confidence over compliance is key. 

• Every decision such as a click, login, or message carries risk. 

• Psychological safety is essential: no blame, no judgment for reporting concerns. 
• Secure habits protect the mission as much as firewalls or encryption. 

WHO’S AT RISK 

All users, regardless of role, can be targeted. 

High-risk groups include: 

• Employees handling sensitive or client data 

• Teams with frequent external communications 

• Users with administrative or privileged access 

Phishing and social engineering campaigns increasingly blend AI-generated content and deepfake tactics, making traditional red flags harder to spot. 

HOW THEY’RE ATTACKING 

Modern phishing and business email compromise (BEC) campaigns use: 

• Personalized lures that mirror real business conversations 

• Spoofed domains or cloned vendor portals for credential theft 

• Fake urgency to rush approvals or bypass standard checks 

Attackers exploit emotion and routine, not just technical vulnerabilities. 
One well-crafted message can open the door to ransomware, data theft, or internal compromise. 

HOW TO STAY PREPARED 

Stay alert and take simple, repeatable actions to minimize human risk: 

• Pause before you click. Inspect links, attachments, and sender addresses. 

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. 

• Report suspicious activity immediately. Early reporting stops lateral spread. 

• Complete ongoing phishing simulations and micro-trainings. Practice improves instinct. 

• Reinforce team accountability. Security awareness is a collective mission. 

At ISI, we’re strengthening our internal posture through: 

• Short, actionable reminders to recognize real-world threats faster 

• Interactive simulations that make security relatable 

• A no-blame culture that rewards early reporting 

Technology can’t stop every threat, but awareness and vigilance can. 

By staying sharp, speaking up, and supporting one another, we reduce risk and protect the defense community we serve. 

Stay secure,  
The ISI Cybersecurity Team