That’s the message North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is working to drive home in his state. Because a weak password, a suspicious email or an overlooked software update can seem insignificant in the moment, but as digital systems become more deeply woven into everyday life, the consequences of cyber incidents are becoming harder to contain — and difficult to ignore.
This week, Gov. Stein and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) launched the Secure Your Square Challenge, a monthlong campaign tied to June being National Internet Safety Month, that encourages people to take simple steps to better protect themselves online. Rather than treating cybersecurity as something handled exclusively by IT professionals, the state is asking all North Carolinians to see it as a shared responsibility.
At the center of the state’s latest efforts is a digital bingo card filled with practical cybersecurity tasks that residents, families, schools, businesses, local governments, state employees and community organizations can identify and mark off as they complete each action.
The challenge doesn’t ask participants to become cybersecurity experts. Instead, it focuses on the kinds of habits security professionals have been encouraging for years: turning on two-factor authentication, creating stronger passwords, keeping software up to date, reviewing privacy settings and learning how to recognize phishing attempts and scams.
What’s notable about the campaign is its emphasis on collective responsibility. The state isn’t just asking individuals to protect their own devices; instead, using the digital card, they can challenge friends, relatives and coworkers to participate, too.
NCDIT Secretary Nate Denny, who serves as state CIO, linked cybersecurity directly to public safety.
“Internet safety is public safety,” Denny said in a statement. “Technology is part of every aspect of daily life, so online safety must be part of how we protect our families, workplaces and communities.”
During June, the department will share guidance and resources to help people navigate common online risks, covering everything from protecting accounts and personal data to recognizing scams and understanding the role AI is beginning to play in daily life.
As communities become more connected through technology, the effects of a cyber incident can extend far beyond computers and data. Security experts have tracked a rise in digital attacks disrupting services people rely on every day. What’s more, many of these incidents don’t start with sophisticated hacking tools. They often begin with something much simpler, such as an outdated system, a reused password or a convincing phishing email.
North Carolina’s cybersecurity awareness campaign is built around a similar premise, encouraging residents to focus on simple online safety habits and showing that even small actions can make a meaningful difference.
