Cyber Readiness Institute

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Cyber Readiness Institute The Cyber Readiness Institute empowers small and medium-sized organizations by providing them with free tools and resources to improve cybersecurity.

10/02/2026

Happy first of !

This week: Hidden Characters in Phishing Emails

Microsoft researchers recently documented a phishing technique that uses invisible codes and characters to evade security detection. The technique demonstrates how attackers adapt the technical structure of messages—not just their wording—to get malicious content past defenses.

If you can't see the trick, that doesn't mean it's not there.

Remember…
- Don't rely solely on how an email looks.
- Keep email security protection enabled.
- Don't open unexpected attachments.

Report suspicious messages—even if they appear legitimate.

When in doubt, verify through a trusted channel.

10/01/2026

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good time to remember that cyber readiness for small businesses isn’t built overnight. It’s built in the everyday choices your team makes.

This October, start with one small step: help your team recognize suspicious messages, use stronger passwords, or turn on multifactor authentication. Those habits add up.

Ready to make them stick? Explore our free, self-paced Cyber Readiness Program.

A cyberattack rarely starts with a dramatic hack. More often, it starts with human error: a rushed decision, a convincin...
09/29/2026

A cyberattack rarely starts with a dramatic hack. More often, it starts with human error: a rushed decision, a convincing phishing email, an overlooked access setting, or a credential left active too long.

SecurityWeek recently reported on a supply-chain attack that used compromised access to inject malicious code across more than 100,000 websites—showing how one mistake can ripple far beyond a single organization.

Strong can help prevent everyday mistakes from becoming major incidents. Our free Cyber Readiness Program gives teams practical tools to spot suspicious activity, protect credentials, and make safer decisions every day—helping them recognize and respond to threats before they escalate and strengthen overall .

Read the full article to learn more, then visit our website, becyberready.org, to explore the program and help prevent small mistakes from becoming major security events.

09/28/2026

The season is underway, and your cyber readiness plan should be, too. 🏈

The Cyber Readiness Program is a practical, winning game plan for small and medium-sized businesses looking to strengthen cyber habits, protect their teams and data, and stay ahead of threats—for free and on your timeline.

Because when cyber risks come blitzing, preparation is your best defense.

Kick off your cyber readiness planning today: https://bit.ly/3UBm9cY

09/25/2026

Alert from CRI! This week, your "IT Help Desk" might not be IT after all.

You get a message from "IT" asking you to update your passkey. Sounds legitimate, right? If you're already ... something should feel off...

Microsoft is tracking cyberattacks in which criminals impersonate IT help desks and contact employees by phone or text, claiming a passkey, MFA, or SSO configuration needs updating. Victims may then be directed to a fake Microsoft sign-in page or authentication process.

Here are some red flags to look out for:
- Unexpected IT calls or texts
- Pressure to update MFA immediately
- Links to unfamiliar login pages
- Requests for authentication codes
- Someone asking you to approve a sign-in you didn't initiate

Remember:
- IT should never require you to bypass security procedures.
- Don't approve unexpected MFA requests.
- Don't provide authentication codes to callers.
- Navigate to your organization's normal sign-in portal yourself.
- Contact IT through a trusted number if something feels wrong.

Your MFA prompt is NOT proof that the person contacting you is legitimate. Pause. Verify. Protect.
Take 10 seconds to think through your next action so one wrong move doesn't bring down your business.

09/24/2026

The autumn chill is a good reminder that things can change quickly, including the threats facing your business. attacks and poor cyber hygiene remain among the most common ways cybercriminals try to gain access to organizations, but a cyber-ready team knows how to pause, spot the red flags, and avoid taking the bait.

This season, help your team recognize phishing attempts before they pile up. The free, self-paced Cyber Readiness Program gives small businesses practical training to strengthen their defenses—one lesson at a time.

Don’t fall for phishing attacks; instead, .

09/22/2026

Fall is almost here, and so is your reminder that cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a recipe for stress. 🥧🍂

The Cyber Readiness Program helps small and medium-sized businesses build stronger cyber defenses with practical steps that are, well… easy as pie.

Put cyber readiness on the menu this fall—and get a slice of greater peace of mind with the Cyber Readiness Program.

09/22/2026

Doubling up and using a personal device at work can be a convenient way to stay productive—but without established , it can also create an easy entry point for cybercriminals.

Cyber readiness is not always about buying new tools. Often, it comes down to consistent habits: keeping devices updated, protecting accounts, and treating every work device with the same level of care.

Build the everyday practices that help close security gaps. Explore the free, self-paced Cyber Readiness Program to strengthen your organization’s first line of defense: you.

Today's Phishing Friday: CEO & Executive ImpersonationUrgent request from the CEO? Are you sure..?Business Email Comprom...
09/18/2026

Today's Phishing Friday: CEO & Executive Impersonation

Urgent request from the CEO? Are you sure..?

Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks often impersonate executives and ask employees to buy gift cards, transfer funds, or share confidential information.

Red flags to watch for:
- Unexpected financial requests
- Pressure to keep it confidential
- Slightly altered email addresses
- Requests that bypass normal procedures

Instead, be sure to:
- Verify requests using a trusted communication channel.
- Follow company approval processes.
- Never let urgency override security.
- Report suspicious executive impersonation emails immediately.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's national cyber exercise focuses on strengthening preparedness for c...
09/17/2026

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's national cyber exercise focuses on strengthening preparedness for critical infrastructure, underscoring the value of realistic exercises that bring P3 partners together to test coordination, strengthen response plans, and identify opportunities to build resilience.

Like , CRI is committed to making cyber readiness actionable, collaborative, and accessible for the organizations that keep our critical infrastructure running. Cyber Storm exercises may be simulated, but the threats they help organizations prepare for are real.

Build your before an incident puts it to the test. Enroll in CRI’s free, self-paced Cyber Readiness Program today: https://bit.ly/3UBm9cY

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