WASHINGTON (October 6, 2026) – October marks the start of National Cybersecurity Month, an initiative used to educate the public, businesses, and government agencies about digital safety. Each year, as cyber threats get stronger and more efficient, it’s important to take precautions when using devices or submitting personal information.
The top three current cyber threats are ransomware, phishing, and cloud security. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), more than 471 million people were affected by 1,803 data breaches in the first half of 2026. In addition, AI scams, deepfakes, and identity fraud are making it harder for people to distinguish real messages from fake ones. As organizations and individuals become more reliant on digital services, it’s essential to stay aware of evolving online threats.
For more information and tips on cyber safety, please consider Scott J. White, Associate Professor and Director of the Cybersecurity Program and Cyber Academy at the College of Professional Studies. White is an expert in cybersecurity, cybercrime, counter-terrorism, and infrastructure protection. He has worked for a variety of law enforcement agencies in the U.S., the UK and Canada, holds a Queen’s Commission, and was an officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
To schedule an interview, please contact Nadia Payne at nadia [dot] payne
gwu [dot] edu (nadia[dot]payne[at]gwu[dot]edu) or GW Media Relations at gwmediagwu [dot] edu (gwmedia[at]gwu[dot]edu).
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