2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign

For Wyoming’s state employees, this connection is especially important. Strong cyber habits safeguard your family’s information at home while also protecting the services that keep our state running — from public safety and transportation to schools, healthcare, and licensing. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events at ETS

The Invisible Threats of a Connected World

The most profound challenge we face isn't just a bigger, faster virus. It's the silent, long-game threat posed by emerging technologies. The advent of quantum computing, for instance, is the single greatest long-term threat to our digital security. When fully realized, quantum computers will have the power to break the vast majority of our current encryption methods, including the ones that secure everything from our banking transactions to state secrets. This isn't science fiction; it’s a tangible threat that’s already inspiring "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks, where adversaries steal encrypted data today, betting on their ability to unlock it years from now.

But we don't need to wait for quantum leaps to see the future of cyber warfare. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already here, and it’s a double-edged sword. While we're using AI to defend our networks, attackers are using it to supercharge their offenses. Gone are the days of misspelled phishing emails. AI can now generate hyper-realistic spear-phishing messages that are contextually aware and nearly impossible to distinguish from legitimate communication. More ominously, AI is being used to create autonomous and adaptive malware that can learn and evolve in real-time to evade traditional security defenses. 

A New Mindset for a New Era

These aren't threats that can be solved with a single software update. They demand a fundamental shift in our approach to security, starting with a collective understanding of what's at stake.

As the CISO for the State of Wyoming, my team and I are already moving to address these challenges. It is our plan to start exploring quantum-safe cryptography to prepare for a post-quantum world. We are also deploying our own AI-powered defensive tools to fight fire with fire, enabling us to detect and respond to threats at machine speed - Although it has been a challenge. There are a lot of tools in the market that claim to be "AI powered". It is our job to distinguish hype from reality. 

But our strongest defense remains our people. We must move beyond rote training and empower a culture of vigilance and skepticism. Every employee, every citizen, and every business is a critical component of our defense. By staying informed, challenging what looks suspicious, and understanding that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, we can build a resilient digital infrastructure that stands strong against the threats of today and prepares for the challenges of tomorrow.

🪝Don't Get Hooked!

Phishing is the #1 way attackers strike. They don’t break in — they trick you into opening the door. The email looks like it’s from your coworker, HR, your bank, or even your favorite store. One click… and BAM! You’re on the hook.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re upping our game — because phishing is still the #1 way attackers strike! Every week, we’ll spotlight a “Don’t Get Hooked” tip so you can spot red flags, stop scams in their tracks, and protect yourself on and off the clock! 

This Week’s Spotlight: The Too-Reel Request

Phishing emails often look like legitimate requests — invoices, password resets, or HR forms. Don’t let “looks real” fool you.

• At work: If an email asks for money, credentials, or sensitive data, verify through a known phone number or trusted contact. Don’t reply or click until you confirm.

• At home: If Amazon, your bank, or Netflix says “fix your account now,” go to the app or type the website address yourself — never use the email link.

Resources

State of Wyoming Office of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 

National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) 

Cyber Glossary