Killian O'Rawe
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with this year’s theme, “Stay Safe Online.” It’s a timely reminder of how critical it is to stay alert and informed about cyber threats – particularly in a climate where the rapid adoption of AI continues to reshape the way we work, create, and connect.
In a business context, cybersecurity has never been just an IT concern. It’s a shared responsibility that touches every part of an organisation. As recent incidents at major retailers have shown, the weakest point in any system is often not technology itself, but human behaviour. Attackers are increasingly turning to social engineering – tactics like impersonation and phishing – to exploit trust and gain access.
That’s why fostering a culture of awareness, curiosity, and accountability is more important than ever.
Make security everyone’s responsibility
Cybersecurity begins with mindset. Every person, regardless of their role, plays a part in protecting information, systems, and customer trust. Human behaviour remains the strongest – or weakest – link in any security chain. A single moment of inattention can have significant consequences, whether it’s a misplaced click or sharing sensitive information with the wrong person.
Education and awareness must be continuous, not one-off training sessions. Encouraging curiosity – questioning the unusual and pausing before acting – is one of the most effective ways to strengthen security from within.
Stay ahead of an evolving threat landscape
If security is everyone’s responsibility, then awareness must evolve alongside the threats themselves.
The rise of AI and the growing value of data have created both new opportunities and new vulnerabilities. What worked last year might not be enough today.
To stay secure, organisations must prioritise resilience through adaptability – regular refreshers, scenario-based training, and staying informed about emerging risks. Maintaining awareness of how threats evolve ensures teams remain prepared, confident, and capable of responding effectively.
Embed security into everyday culture
At Reward, we believe that security isn’t just built into systems – it’s built into how we think. We invest in awareness and education, empowering teams to make informed decisions and take ownership of their role in protecting data.
While accreditations such as PCI and ISO provide an essential foundation for compliance and best practice, culture is what sustains resilience. A truly security-first mindset means being curious: questioning unusual emails, reviewing data practices, and thinking before you click.
When these behaviours become second nature, we move from simply responding to threats to actively preventing them.
Balance trust with transparency
Security is about balance – between trust and transparency, innovation and caution. At Reward, we take this responsibility seriously, but we also recognise that no system is ever completely invulnerable.
True resilience comes from openness about risk and a readiness to learn. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s resilience – the ability to respond, recover, and improve continuously. Readiness and awareness are key, and that begins with every individual understanding the role they play in maintaining trust.
Reflect, recommit, and stay curious
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to pause and reflect. Are we doing enough to stay ahead? Are our teams confident, informed, and adaptable? These are the questions every organisation should be asking – not just in October, but throughout the year.
It’s a reminder that cybersecurity isn’t a project with an end date, but a continuous commitment. By fostering open communication, cross-team collaboration, and ongoing learning, we strengthen both our defences and our collective confidence in managing risk.
Ultimately, security is built on small, consistent actions – the everyday habits that keep us alert, curious, and informed. As we mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s use it as a prompt to reaffirm our shared responsibility and renew our focus on awareness, readiness, and resilience.
