By Sandra M.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual campaign led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to raise awareness about cybersecurity and encourage safer online practices. This year’s theme, “Securing the Next 250,” looks ahead to how we can build a safer and more secure digital future as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. Artificial intelligence has already transformed how we work, communicate, analyze information, and defend our systems. The challenge ahead is not simply adopting AI but ensuring that we use and secure it responsibly as its capabilities continue to advance.
In June 2026, Executive Order 14409, Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security, reinforced the growing importance of securing AI by calling for stronger cyber defenses, expanded use of AI-enabled defensive capabilities, greater public-private collaboration, and protection against AI-enabled cybercrime.
Our Fall newsletter also explored agentic AI, which represents a shift from AI simply providing information to taking action and completing tasks on our behalf. Although this shift creates exciting possibilities, it also introduces new cybersecurity considerations. The more access and autonomy we give AI, the more important it becomes to protect the systems and data it can access and make sure the right safeguards are in place.
Think Before You Click. Think Before You Prompt. Verify Before You Trust.
For years, cybersecurity awareness has emphasized a familiar message: Think Before You Click. Every year, security awareness training reminds us to look closely at suspicious emails, links, and attachments before taking action. Those practices remain important, but as AI becomes more integrated into how we work, cybersecurity awareness must evolve with it.
Now we must also think before we prompt. The information entered into an AI system can be just as important as the information we choose to share through email, websites or other applications. Before entering information into an AI tool such as Copilot or ChatGPT, consider what information you are sharing, whether the tool is approved for that use, and whether the information is sensitive, proprietary or otherwise protected.
Protecting the data behind AI is becoming an increasingly important part of cybersecurity. Joint guidance from CISA, NSA, FBI and international partners emphasizes that data must be protected throughout the entire AI lifecycle, from development and testing through deployment and operation. The guidance identifies risks including compromised data supply chains, maliciously modified or “poisoned” data, and data drift, all of which can affect the accuracy, integrity and reliability of AI systems.
The guidance recommends many of the same foundational security practices organizations already rely on, including data classification and access controls, encryption, trusted infrastructure, data provenance and ongoing risk assessments. The message is clear: AI security starts with data security. If the data used by an AI system cannot be trusted or adequately protected, neither can the results it produces.
We must also verify before we trust. AI can generate useful information quickly, but its output should not automatically be treated as accurate or authoritative. Just as we verify an unexpected email before clicking a link, we should consider the source, context, and accuracy of AI-generated information before relying on it, particularly when it is being used to support important business or security decisions.
As AI systems become more capable and autonomous, these habits become even more important. Cybersecurity awareness is no longer only about recognizing what may be trying to get into our systems. It is also about understanding what information we put into AI systems, what those systems can access, and how much authority we give them to act on our behalf.
Cybersecurity Awareness at ActioNet
AI awareness is part of cybersecurity awareness at ActioNet. As AI becomes more integrated into how we work, staying cyber aware means understanding not only the threats we face, but also how we use AI, what information we share with it, and when we should question or verify its output.
At ActioNet, we continue to promote a security-first culture through cybersecurity awareness training, phishing exercises, and established practices that help protect our systems and information. As our use of AI expands, those same cybersecurity fundamentals remain important. This includes protecting sensitive information, using trusted and approved technologies, controlling access to data, and continuously assessing risk. These principles align with joint CISA, NSA, FBI, and international guidance, which emphasizes protecting data throughout the AI lifecycle and maintaining security as AI systems are developed, deployed, and operated.
Cybersecurity awareness remains a shared responsibility, and at ActioNet, every action counts. Whether we are opening an email, entering information into an AI tool, reviewing AI-generated content, or allowing an AI system to take action, the decisions we make matter. Think before you click. Think before you prompt. Verify before you trust. By keeping security at the forefront of how we use technology, we all play a role in protecting ActioNet, our customers, and our mission as we work together to Secure the Next 250.
ActioNet is proud to support Cybersecurity Awareness Month and its mission to promote online safety and cybersecurity awareness. For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 and how to participate in a wide variety of activities, visit https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month.