Why You Should Care about Cyber Security Awareness Month in 2025

Cybercrime is Growing – That’s Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month is So Important 

The #1 Threat 

As our digital footprints grow and our homes and businesses become more interconnected and cloud-dependent, so does the challenge of keeping our personal data safe.  

In fact, cyber crime is now the biggest threat to your digital life – whether you’re at home or at work. 

Over 41,000 Canadians reported cyber crimes in the first half of 2024, while more than half of Canadians over 16 have experienced a data breach. It’s not surprising, considering there are 75 data breaches a day in Canada and today’s hackers can crack a weak passwords in 1 second. 

Small businesses are especially vulnerable and increasingly targeted. They’re three times more likely to get hacked and experience 350% more social engineering attacks than larger ones. In the past year alone, more than half of Canadian small businesses suffered a data breach and it cost them an average $200,000. For most small businesses, it means they won’t recover.  

“Cyber criminals have more tools than ever,” says Neal Jardine, BOXX Insurance’s Chief Cyber Intelligence and Claims Officer. “With AI, they’re faster, more convincing and more scalable. That makes cyber security awareness more critical than ever — for everyone.” 

That’s why Cyber Security Awareness Month matters. It’s your reminder to take back control: to protect your data, educate your team and family and invest in tools that help you stay safe. 

Lack of Awareness and Education
  

Despite the rise in cyber crime, many people are still unaware of the risks.   

A concerning 65% of Canadian senior executives revealed they’ve been the target of at least one cyber attack in the past 18 months, while one in five Canadian companies admit they don’t know enough about cyber security to protect themselves.  

Part of the problem is cyber fatigue, experienced by over 40% of companies, where businesses become desensitized to the constant warnings about cyber threats, making them less proactive to securing their systems.   

“This lack of cyber security awareness makes it easier for cyber criminals to succeed in their attacks – leaving both individuals and companies increasingly vulnerable,” said Melanie Bean, Claims Manager at BOXX. “Most hacks target small businesses, and better preparation and awareness on the topic can lessen the aftermath of the attack,” Bean continued.   

On an individual level, it’s even more alarming. In Canada, more than half of internet users don’t use privacy tools to safeguard their personal data. And even though cyber crimes targeting kids have surged by 20%, 30% of Canadian parents have never discussed cyber safety with their children.  

Lack of Cyber Insurance  

Despite rising cyber threats, many Canadian businesses hesitate to invest in cyber insurance, often assuming they won’t be targeted. 

Over 40% of insurance brokers report clients refuse coverage, believing their data isn’t valuable or that small businesses aren’t appealing to cyber criminals.   

How to Stay Safe Online: Cybersecurity and Insurance 

As cyber threats evolve, so must our cyber awareness, preparedness and defences. Taking cyber security measures and getting the right cyber insurance are your best bet against growing cyber threats. Here are some best practices to safeguard yourself, your family and your business:  

1. Training and Awareness: Educate employees and family members on the latest cyber threats, including how to spot and report phishing. Consider prioritizing BOXX’s 10 online safety tips and cyber safety resources, including how to how to prevent ID Theft, deal with cyber bullies and how to avoid romance scams. 
2. Strong Password Policies: Over 24 billion passwords were exposed by hackers in 2022 and the average smart home could be at risk of more than 12,000 hacker attacks in one week. Implement strong password hygiene, use multi-factor authentication and change passwords regularly, using a password manager. 
3. Cyber Security Tools: Invest in cyber security tools like VPNs, firewalls and antivirus software to secure both your personal and business networks and devices and regularly keep software updated. 
4. All-in-One Cyber Insurance and Protection: Cyber insurance is no longer just an option; it’s a necessity. Whether you’re insuring your home or protecting your business, policies designed to protect against cyber risks can offer a critical safety net. BOXX helps businesses and individuals predict, prevent, respond to and recover from cyber incidents with Cyberboxx® Assist tools built into every policy. This includes dark web monitoring, attack surface management and 24/7 access to Hackbusters® breatch response experts to contain cyber incidents. BOXX’s virtual Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) provides an extra layer of protection for small businesses, acting as your personal cyber security team.  

Make Cybersecurity Awareness Month a Priority  

There’s a lot to be anxious about in our digital world as we observe Cyber Security Awareness Month in 2025. But consumers and businesses can fight back by making cyber security awareness and resilience a priority. Stay informed and invest in the right protection and insurance to keep your business, home and family safe.   

Becoming cyber aware is your first step – for more insights on how to safeguard your digital world, check out BOXX’s cyber security resources.