October 15, 2025

Written by: Courtney Andersen, Intern, GuidePoint Security

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM). GuidePoint Security is proud to join the national effort, championed by the US National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) in collaboration with the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to amplify essential cybersecurity practices under the 2025 themes: Stay Safe Online and Building a Cyber Strong America.

Like most young adults, I spend a large chunk of my day on my phone or laptop. However, I never realized how vulnerable my devices really are to cyber threats. Before my internship at GuidePoint Security, cybersecurity wasn’t something I thought about beyond the occasional password reset or two-factor authentication prompt. I assumed that the built-in protections on my phone or laptop were enough, and that cyber attacks mostly targeted big companies, not someone just scrolling through social media or shopping online.

Cybersecurity Awareness Principles that Apply to Personal Life

My time here as a marketing content intern has been full of professional growth. Learning, writing, collaborating, and understanding how the cybersecurity industry communicates complex topics to non technology experts. What I didn’t expect was how much information I would learn that applies to my life as a technology consumer. I’ve learned how fast technology changes and how that shifts the way I think about security. Whether it’s remote work, cloud storage, or even something as simple as logging into Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, every connection opens the door for a potential threat. The more I learned about cybersecurity, the more I realized that the same principles organizations use, like Zero Trust and secure device management, apply to my personal life as well.

Biggest Takeaways

One of the biggest takeaways for me has been understanding the concept of Zero Trust. The concept is simple: don’t assume that anything or anyone online is automatically safe. Just like companies verify every connection to protect the company’s sensitive data, I can apply that same mindset to my own habits. Thinking before clicking a link, verifying a sender’s email, and not trusting public networks without protection. It’s a small shift that can change how I move through my digital world. 

Another huge takeaway has been how cloud technologies make remote work and security possible. Many companies today are embracing full remote working environments, or at least a hybrid work model.

Applying the Lessons Learned

So as a young professional starting their career, it has been essential for me to learn how to protect my working environment. Organizations use tools like virtual desktops and device managers to keep employees connected and secure from anywhere. Whether it’s enabling milti-factor authentication, keeping software updated, or using stronger passwords, these small steps can help create your own Zero Trust setup. 

Most of all, working alongside cybersecurity professionals has taught me that cyber awareness isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a personal responsibility. Whether it’s recognizing phishing emails, questioning suspicious links, or just understanding the impact of the information I share online, I have come to realize how important it is to protect yourself from cyber threats. It’s not about being paranoid, but about being aware and proactive.

Cybersecurity awareness isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a personal responsibility.

This Cyber Awareness Month, I’m taking what I’ve learned from the experts and applying it to my own digital world. If there’s one takeaway for other young people like me, it’s this: cybersecurity isn’t just for IT professionals, it’s for anyone with a phone, laptop, or social media account. 

Learning more about cybersecurity has made me more mindful, more curious, and more confident about how I use technology every day. I came here expecting to grow professionally, but I’m leaving with lessons that go far beyond the workplace. These lessons have helped me feel empowered, informed, and ready to navigate the digital world safely. 

Learn More About GuidePoint Security Internships

To start or extend your own career in cybersecurity, there are many paths you can take. One option is to check out GuidePoint Security University, or GPSU. Go here to learn more.

This October, take a moment to reflect: Are you and your employees practicing the Core 4 every day? Small steps, done consistently, can stop big threats. Cybersecurity is everyone’s job, and together, we can all do our part to stay safe online.