Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month gives us a good reason to stop and think about how far security has come, and how fast it keeps changing. For those of us in the Security Operations Center (SOC) at US Signal, it’s also a chance to share what we’re seeing behind the scenes and remind everyone that security isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a team effort.

The Threats Are Familiar, but the Tactics Are Changing

We’re still dealing with the same core threats: ransomware, phishing, and social engineering. What’s different is how attackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to take these to the next level.

We’re now seeing AI-generated phishing emails that look incredibly real, deepfake videos convincing enough to fool even cautious employees, and automated attacks that hit faster than ever. AI has made it easier for attackers to scale their efforts and target organizations of any size.

The good news? We’re using AI, too. Our SOC leverages automation and AI-driven analytics to spot patterns, flag suspicious behavior, and respond quickly when something’s off. Staying ahead of threats means learning and adapting just as fast as they do.

How We Help Protect Our Customers

No two customer environments look the same, so our approach isn’t one-size-fits-all. For organizations using our managed security services, our team is watching alerts, fine-tuning tools, and responding around the clock.

For customers that also rely on our cloud and managed IT services, we take things a step further. We’re helping with patch management, sending vulnerability notifications, and providing best-practice recommendations to reduce risk before it turns into a problem.

Internally, we follow the same principles we give our customers. We operate with a layered defense model, making sure every associate has what they need to work securely and responsibly.

Don’t Overlook the Basics

One thing I always tell people during Cybersecurity Awareness Month: the basics still matter.

If you haven’t turned on multi-factor authentication (MFA) yet, make that your next move. It’s simple, effective, and stops a huge number of attacks before they even start.

We also see a lot of companies running on end-of-life servers and network devices. Once those systems stop getting updates, they’re easy targets. Replacing them isn’t always fun, but it’s one of the best ways to close gaps in your security posture.

How We Stay Ahead of Emerging Threats

Our team stays plugged into a variety of trusted sources, including CISA, vendor notifications, and industry threat feeds. We’re always evaluating our tools and processes to make sure they’re still the right fit. Cybersecurity isn’t something you can set and forget. The moment you stop improving, you’re already behind.

Security Belongs to Everyone

More than 90% of successful attacks start with a phishing email. That’s why awareness matters so much. Whether you’re in IT, finance, HR, or sales, every person in an organization has a role to play in protecting data.

My best advice? Slow down, look closely at emails, and think before you click. That extra second can make all the difference.

At US Signal, our SOC team works around the clock to keep customers protected, but maintaining strong security is an ongoing effort. Sometimes, having an outside perspective can help uncover risks or highlight opportunities to improve.

Our security professional services are designed to do just that — from assessments and planning to ongoing support that helps organizations strengthen their defenses. Contact us today to learn more.