Minnesota strengthens cyber defenses with statewide awareness month

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz has declared October 2025 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Minnesota, joining a national effort to emphasize the importance of digital safety. State officials say this initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity education and awareness across the state. Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) collaborates with various partners to counter cyber threats targeting government services used daily by Minnesotans. “As our reliance on technology grows, so does the need to safeguard our digital lives,” said MNIT Commissioner Tarek Tomes. “Cybersecurity can feel complicated; however, simple, doable practices—like using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping devices updated, and staying alert to phishing attempts—make a big difference.”