2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Month
2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Month
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Stay Safe Online, Build a Cyber Strong Wyoming!
Stay Safe Online, Build a Cyber Strong Wyoming!
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an international initiative championed by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) alongside partners across government, business, and education.
ETS is proud to stand once again with the Governor’s Office, the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, CISA, and the NCA to advance this critical mission across our state.
This year, our focus centers on tackling modern digital risks through small, proactive choices. We are diving into practical defenses against emerging tactics like QR-code scams and AI impersonation, while reinforcing the importance of keeping devices updated and secure. We'll also explore how to use artificial intelligence responsibly, protect important files using the 3-2-1 backup strategy, and make reporting suspicious messages part of our daily routine through the Phish Hook button.
Every time you pause before clicking, restart your laptop for updates, or report a suspicious message, you help protect state systems, personal information, and Wyoming from cyber threats.
Throughout October, ETS will share practical insights and actionable resources focused on four essential cybersecurity habits for today's digital landscape:
Throughout October, ETS will share practical insights and actionable resources focused on four essential cybersecurity habits for today's digital landscape:
Recognizing modern phishing, quishing, and AI impersonation.
Keeping devices updated and secure.
Practicing responsible AI habits while securing vital data.
Building strong security habits and reporting suspicious messages with the Phish Hook.
By practicing these steps every day, you can help keep yourself, your family, and your workplace safe while helping protect the critical services Wyoming citizens depend on.
For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 and campaign resources, visit StaySafeOnline.org or follow #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth throughout October.
You can also explore additional cybersecurity best practices from our federal partner, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), by visiting their website or following @CISAgov on social media.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events at ETS
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events at ETS
Please note: These activities are exclusive to State of Wyoming employees.
CISO Coin - Front
CISO Coin - Back
October — Cybersecurity Presentation and Q&A at the Capitol
October — Cybersecurity Presentation and Q&A at the Capitol
Have questions about cybersecurity? Curious how threats impact your work — or what you can do at home? Get answers straight from the experts!
When: October 21st, 2026
Time: 2-3 PM
Where: Wyoming State Capitol, Room W53/54
Who: Open to all state employees
Bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe even a coworker or two. This is your chance to hear from ETS's cybersecurity leaders in person, learn something new, and walk away more cyber-confident than ever!
All Month Long — CISO Challenge Coin Giveaway Challenge!
All Month Long — CISO Challenge Coin Giveaway Challenge!
Think training can't be fun? Think again.
Complete your KnowBe4 training in October and you’ll be entered to win one of 10 new exclusive CISO Challenge Coins — a collectible symbol of your commitment to cybersecurity. All trainings are less than 10 minutes!
Want better odds? Take all four trainings and your name goes in four times.
Plus, watch your inbox for a mystery challenge — three more coins will go to those who rise to the occasion.
Contest closes October 30, 2026.
When you take the KnowBe4 training during October, you'll be entered into a drawing to win one of ten limited-edition CISO coins!
Quadruple your chances and take all four trainings! These coins are a unique symbol of your commitment to cybersecurity and a great conversation starter.
These coins aren’t just cool collectibles — they’re a badge of honor and a conversation starter that shows you take cybersecurity seriously.
Outsmart the Imposters: Decoding Modern Scams
Outsmart the Imposters: Decoding Modern Scams
Recognizing modern phishing, quishing, and AI impersonation
Digital communication makes it easier than ever to connect, work, and manage our lives. However, it also gives cybercriminals sophisticated tools to exploit our trust. Scammers have moved far beyond the obvious, poorly written emails of the past. Today’s scams use emotional manipulation, artificial intelligence, and multiple communication methods to appear more convincing and harder to detect.
Understanding how modern scams work, from emotional manipulation to tactics like QR-code scams and AI impersonation, in one of your strongest defenses.
The Myth of the "Weakest Link"
The Myth of the "Weakest Link"
You Are Our Best Sensor Network
In this week's segment of The CISO Corner, CISO Miguel Penaranda flips the script on traditional IT thinking, explaining why human intuition, not software, is Wyoming's most powerful sensor network against modern scams.
The Core Tactic: Exploiting Human Emotion
The Core Tactic: Exploiting Human Emotion
Scammers often target our emotions. Whether it’s excitement, fear, or urgency, strong emotions can be used to trick us into acting before we think. Our inboxes and phones are flooded with information, making it easy to react on autopilot. When a message sparks a strong emotional response, take that as your cue to pause and evaluate before acting.
Common Psychological Lures:
Common Psychological Lures:
🎁 Too good to be true
Exclusive Giveaways: "You've won a dream vacation!"
Payroll Bonus/Unclaimed Funds: "You're owed an unclaimed refund!"
Unrealistic Job: Earn $80 an hour working 3 hours a day from home - no interview required!
💬 Connection & Romance
Fake Dating/Social Profile: A stranger sending direct messages on social media with sudden, intense affection or flattering compliments
Corporate Impersonation: An email pretending to be a new employee or vendor asking to connect on WhatsApp, asking for assistance or a favor
⚠️ Fear & Urgency
Executive Demands: An email appearing to come from your boss or CEO
Account Lockout Threats: "Your bank account has been flagged for fraudulent activity and will be frozen unless verified"
Extortion/Legal Threats: A message claiming law enforcement has issued a warrant for unpaid taxes or an attacker has compromised your webcam
Notice how cybercriminals combine emotional triggers, like urgency, generic greetings, and too-good-to-be-true offers, with other warning signs to catch you off guard.
Watch for details like a sender address that doesn’t look right, suspicious links, or unexpected QR codes asking you to act quickly. Unexpected phone calls pressuring you to share sensitive information can be another warning sign.
Learning to recognize these red flags gives you a simple mental checklist for every email, text, or call you receive. If something doesn’t look or feel right, pause. Don’t click, scan, reply, or share information. Report suspicious messages using the Phish Hook button.
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