Why You Should Care about Cybersecurity 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, cybercrime is now the biggest threat to your digital life – whether you’re at home or at work. 

More than two thirds of Americans have experienced one of the seven types of data breaches already. It’s not surprizing, since there have been almost 7 billion known data record breaches in the US already, thanks to weak passwords – which today’s hackers can crack 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. Today, the average cost of a small business data breach is $120,000, while ransomware costs small businesses on average $35,000 per incident and phishing scams average $70,000 per incident.  

For most small businesses, it means they won’t recover.  

The Role of AI in Cybercrime


AI is transforming industries, but it’s also giving cybercriminals new tools to launch more targeted attacks – from deepfake impersonations to automated phishing. In 2023, the FBI reported USD $2.9 billion in losses from AI-fuelled Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. 

And that’s only the data that’s been reported. 

“Cybercriminals 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 cybersecurity awareness more critical than ever — for everyone.” 

That’s why Cybersecurity 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 cybercrime, many people are still unaware of the risks.   

The majority of Americans don’t know what to do after a data breach – and most have never checked to see if their data has been compromised by one. 

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

This lack of cybersecurity diligence makes it easier for cybercriminals to succeed in their attacks – leaving both individuals and companies increasingly vulnerable.  

Lack of Cyber Insurance 

Despite rising cyber threats, many businesses and individuals don’t invest in cyber insurance, often assuming they won’t be targeted. 

“But that mindset leaves them exposed to significant financial losses,” says Ray Moylan, Claims Manager at BOXX. “Small businesses are just as likely, if not more likely, than large businesses to experience a cyber incident. Proactive preparation and awareness on the topic can significantly lessen the severity both during an attack, and in the months to follow.” Moylan continued.  

How to Stay Safe Online: Cybersecurity and Insurance 

As cyber threats evolve, so must our cyber awareness, preparedness and defences. Taking cybersecurity 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 prevent ID Theft 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. Cybersecurity Tools: Invest in cybersecurity 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® breach 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 cybersecurity team.  

Make Cybersecurity Awareness Month a Priority  

There’s a lot to be anxious about in our digital world as we observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2025. But consumers and businesses can fight back by making cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity resources.