October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and high security cleaning services such as Mister Kleen should regularly train employees on how to help defend against cybercriminals and data breaches.   

Through our Employee Security Awareness Program, also known as E.S.A.P.,  Mister Kleen enhances our employees’ cybersecurity awareness by training them to better identify potential threats and vulnerabilities AND how to properly report them to their onsite supervisor and security personnel.

This month federal agencies are promoting four key cybersecurity behaviors:

1. Create strong passwords and use a password manager  
2. Enable multi-factor authentication  
3. Update your software  
4. Recognize and report phishing attempts 

HOW TO CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS 

According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, you should keep these three things in mind when creating passwords:

• Passwords should be at least 12 characters long. 
• Use a unique password for each of your accounts – don’t reuse them. Keep them unique by not just changing one character or adding a number at the end; none of your passwords should look alike. Unique passwords help keep your accounts safe if one is compromised.
• Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. 

BENEFITS OF A PASSWORD MANAGER

You probably have dozens of online accounts, and the NCA suggests using a password manager, which can store your usernames and passwords in a secure, encrypted database. A password manager can also provide a hyperstrong suggestion, and then automatically store it.  

Following are some suggested password managers from the NCA; compare them and see what works best for you: 

• Keeper 
• Bitwarden 
• 1Password  
• NordPass  
• Dashlane  
• LastPass               

The NCA also offers  these resources to help you choose:

• Consumer Reports   
• PC Mag   
• CNET   
• Tom’s Guide  
• Global Cyber Alliance

Mister Kleen has been a leading provider of contract cleaning services to Commercial and High-Security facilities since 1976. Our primary service area is the DC Metro region. We also provide a variety of interior and exterior specialty services. For more information, contact us at 703-719-6900.