October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month — Is Your Business Protected?
October isn’t just the start of pumpkin spice season — it’s also Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to helping businesses and individuals strengthen their digital defenses.
At Klos Consulting, we see firsthand how cyber threats are evolving across South Florida — and how a few simple actions can prevent the majority of attacks.
Why This Month Matters for South Florida Businesses
From Fort Lauderdale to Miami, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small and mid-sized businesses.
Why? Because they know many smaller organizations have valuable data but fewer defenses.
A recent report found that 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses, and nearly 60% of those companies close within six months of a major breach.
Closer to home:
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In Broward County, a medical group had to shut down parts of its network after a ransomware attack (CBS Miami, 2025).
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A Fort Lauderdale firm was locked out of its systems for days due to one missed software update (Local10 News, 2025).
These are real incidents — and completely preventable with the right tools and habits.
Four Smart Cyber Habits to Start This Month
You don’t need a big IT overhaul to make a big impact.
Start with these four steps:
1. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adding an extra verification step when logging in can block over 99% of automated attacks.
It’s one of the simplest and most effective defenses available.
2. Keep Systems Updated
Outdated software is one of the most common ways hackers break in.
Set updates to install automatically so your systems stay protected 24/7.
3. Train Your Team
Phishing remains the #1 way cybercriminals access business data.
Running a short “Spot the Phish” challenge or awareness session can make your staff your strongest defense.
4. Back Up Your Data
Ransomware can’t hold you hostage if you already have clean, secure backups ready to go.
Test them regularly — backups don’t help if they don’t work.
The New Threat: AI-Powered Scams
AI tools have made it easier than ever for scammers to create convincing fake videos, emails, and even voice messages.
Earlier this year, a Hong Kong company lost $25 million after an employee was tricked by a deepfake video call pretending to be their CFO (SCMP, 2025).
Always double-check any unusual payment requests — especially those that seem urgent or secretive.
How Klos Consulting Can Help
As your local South Florida IT and cybersecurity partner, we help businesses:
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Detect threats early with 24/7 monitoring
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Recover fast with secure backup solutions
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Protect teams with employee cybersecurity training
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Build confidence with proactive risk assessments
This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a moment to ask:
Is your business as protected as it should be?
We can help you find out — fast and free.
Stay Secure All Year Long
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great reminder, but protecting your business is a year-round effort.
When you partner with Klos Consulting, you get a team that’s always watching, always ready, and always local.
Let’s make October the month your business becomes cyber strong.
