A glance at the headlines week over week evidences the reality that cybersecurity is front of mind across all sectors. This week the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it “will impose new cybersecurity mandates on the railroad and airline industries, including reporting requirements as part of a department effort to force compliance in the wake of high-profile cyberattacks on critical industries, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Wednesday.”

The UK-based engineering firm Weir Group revealed that it was the target of a ransomware attack that resulted in “significant temporary disruption” that impacted its Q3 profits, according to Reuters. Undoubtedly, the pandemic paved the way for ransomware to take center stage, making this attack method a common household term. The explosion of work from home policies made clear that cybersecurity is not only a technical issue but a people issue as well.

As we round out the first full week of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a good time to remind all our friends and family that cyber is everyone’s responsibility. To learn more about security awareness and education, check out the Library of content available on our website.

Now, here’s a look at some headlines you can try and work into your dinner conversations this weekend.

Oct. 8: “According to a poll carried out by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs and the University of Chicago’s Pearson Institute, around three-quarters of respondents believe that politicians, social media companies and social media users are responsible for spreading misinformation,” The Hill reported.

Oct. 8: Infosecurity Magazine reported that NatWest pled guilty to charges of failing to stop the money-laundering activities of one of its business customers.

Oct. 7: According to a Microsoft report, “the top three foreign targets of Russian state actors were the U.S., Ukraine and Britain, and the hackers saw their success rate on hacks climb from 21 to 32 percent year over year.”

Oct. 7: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has put forth new BYOD guidance to help mitigate cybersecurity risks inherent in employees using personal devices.

Oct. 6: The Department of Justice announced a new initiative, the Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which leverages the False Claims Act.

Oct. 6: Insurance Journal reported that “Singapore plans to review its strategy to further safeguard the country against cyberattacks, and may also revise its laws in this area.”

Oct. 6: “Ensuring the U.S. has next-generation encryption necessary for the post-quantum era and reversing the recent increase in fallout from ransomware attacks are among National Security Agency cyber officials’ top areas of focus in the near-term,” NextGov reported.

Oct. 5: Qualcomm hosted a two-day conference, Smart Cities Accelerate 2021, that featured guidance and best practices—among other topics—for cities that are planning to roll out IoT programs.

Oct. 5: FedScoop reported, “The top official working on artificial intelligence ethics within the Department of Defense has left her post, she announced on LinkedIn.”

Oct. 4: ZDNet reported that “The UK's centre for offensive cyber operations aimed at disrupting nation-state hacking groups, cyber criminals and other online threats against national security is set for a permanent home in Samlesbury, Lancashire.”