It’s October, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and MISO is joining the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) “Secure Our World” campaign.

As an electric grid operator, we run nonstop operations to keep power flowing to the 45 million people living in the MISO region. Cyber security is critical to ensuring your lights stay on.

Whether you are operating an electric grid, doing business or paying your bills online, poor cyber security can result in headaches, heartache and financial ruin. Everyone who spends time on the Internet should invest a little bit of time to protect against hackers and cyber criminals.

Here are some ways to practice cyber safety in your daily life:

1. Enable multifactor authentication (MFA). Without MFA, hackers only need to guess a single form of authentication credentials (like a username and password) to log into your accounts. Secondary verification can make your accounts much harder to hack.
2. Use password managers to make strong passwords. Password managers can create a strong password that is long (14 characters), random (avoids common or easy-to-guess info), unique (not reused) and complex (many types of characters). Managers can store, encrypt and lock your passwords for secure access. To access all your passwords, you only need to remember one password for the management system, which can be used on multiple devices.
3. Stay on top of software updates. Regular updates are the best way to keep the latest security patches on your devices. Hackers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in software, but simply clicking “update” when prompted can greatly reduce the risk of attacks. By prioritizing software updates, you contribute to a safer work environment for yourself and colleagues. 
4. Recognize and report phishing. Phishing is when attackers send fraudulent messages such as emails, social media posts and text messages that look to be from a reputable source. Their sole purpose is to spur action, like clicking a hyperlink, to secretly access sensitive data or download a malicious software to your device. Learn to spot phishing through some of these telltale signs:

• • Messaging that tries striking intense emotion, like fear or excitement
  • Spelling or grammar errors
  • Urgent and unexpected requests, including ramifications if ignored
  • Unfamiliar salutations
  • Unprofessional design
  • Unusual content
  • Suspicious attachments

The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving but staying safe with the right online practices is easier than you may think.