This October marks the twentieth anniversary of cybersecurity awareness month, a significant milestone that underscores the urgency and importance of addressing cybersecurity concerns. It highlights the global effort to raise awareness about the importance of digital security and promote good habits to stay safe online. Over the past two decades, our world has become increasingly reliant on digital technology and the internet, making cybersecurity a critical issue for everyone. Ginni Rometty, the Former CEO of IBM, stated that "cybercrime is the greatest threat to every company in the world." 

The rapid growth of the digital landscape has led to a proliferation of cyber threats and attacks. A study at the University of Maryland found a hacker attack every 39 seconds. However, the pervasive lack of cybersecurity awareness leaves individuals and organizations vulnerable to an ever-increasing array of cyber threats and attacks. Parachute Technology, an IT Services Provider, discovered that the most common cyberattacks are phishing, malware, ransomware, and denial of service. To understand the gravity of the cybersecurity landscape, it's essential to examine the statistics surrounding the lack of awareness. The 2021 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report found that 58% of adults are more worried than ever about being a victim of cybercrime, and 53% of adults admit they don't know how to protect themselves from cybercrime. The 2021 Norton report revealed heightened concerns about cybercrime, with a significant lack of knowledge on protection, underscoring the need to know its impacts and effects. Thus, it is necessary to understand the implications of these statistics.

GlobeNewswire discovered that cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 Trillion annually by 2025. While this may seem like a long time away, it isn't. IBM's Security 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report stated that the damage from a cyberattack requires about 277 days to fix. Thus, in the twentieth year of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it becomes evident that cybersecurity attacks have evolved and expanded, calling for a strengthened commitment to cybersecurity awareness and education.

The annual report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the monthly Fidelity announcement gave easy and practical solutions to protect people from cybersecurity. The infographic section titled "How to Stay in the Clear" articles highlights how improving passwords, turning on multifactor authentication, updating software, and recognizing and reporting cyberattacks are essential to the public's online presence. In this context, the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder that we must prioritize cybersecurity as a fundamental aspect of our daily lives. This anniversary should motivate individuals to take cybersecurity seriously, adopt best practices, and stay informed about the latest threats and protective measures in this digital age. In this digital age, this is a call to action for the future and how it's not just about protecting data; it's about safeguarding our way of life.