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National Computer Security Day happens on the 30^th of November each year, a day dedicated to bringing awareness around keeping your online data secure and safe. National Computer Security Day began in 1988 around the time that computers and devices were becoming more commonplace, particularly within professional settings. Cyber criminals have been around since computers were first introduced, however, as devices and software developed and became more sophisticated, so did cyber crimes.   

It is vital to recognise the importance of keeping your online data secure each day of the year, here are a few ways that you can honour National Computer Security Day in 2023: 

Create Strong Passwords  

Strong passwords are vital in protecting your online accounts and your devices from hackers, they are a simple way to keep your personal information safe and secure. Hackers have several measures they can use to attempt to crack a password, therefore, we have put together some advice to ensure you are able to create a strong password that will keep your personal and sensitive information safe.  

We encourage you to use three random words to create a strong password and ensure that each online account has a separate password. Having different passwords is vital to ensure that if a hacker gets a hold of one of your passwords, then they won’t be able to access all your online accounts. It can be difficult to remember all these passwords, so we recommend using a password manager which will safely store all your passwords in one place.  

Regularly Update Your Devices  

You will often get notifications alerting you that your phone or other device requires an update. It is important to update your devices regularly to ensure the latest software’s are installed to protect your devices and all the sensitive data that your devices hold.  

Regularly Back Up Your Data  

When you back up your data, you are saving your important files and information in a separate safe location which could be a portable hard drive, a USB Stick, or the cloud. Doing this means you will be able to rely on your files being safe if you are unable to use your devices whether this is because they’re lost, stolen or have been a victim of a cyber incident.  

Two-Step Verification  

Two-step verification acts as a second layer of protection on your accounts. It works by using an authenticator app or having a code sent to your mobile phone or email address. Using two-step verification means that if a hacker gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account with this alone and the two-step verification will stop them from getting through this second layer of security.  

Implementing a few simple means can have a big impact on your security and protect yourself or your organisation from a cyber-attack. Although, National Computer Security Day brings awareness to keeping your devices and online data safe, it is important to be vigilant with your device security all year round.