Awareness to Action: Cybersecurity Tips from Alliant’s CIO

Every October, organizations across the country recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a reminder that in today’s digital world, staying safe online requires both strong technology and smart personal habits. At Alliant Credit Union, protecting our members’ financial security is at the heart of everything we do—but the truth is, cybersecurity is a team effort.

“Technology can only go so far,” says Jamie Warder, Chief Information Officer at Alliant Credit Union. “We build in layers of protection, but members also play a critical role in keeping their information secure.”

To help you strengthen your defenses, Jamie shares three essential tips you can put into practice right now.

What you’ll learn:

1. Think before you click

2. Lock it down with strong passwords

3. Stay alert and speak up

4. A shared responsibility

1. Think Before You Click

Clicking a malicious link is one of the easiest ways cybercriminals gain access to personal information. Phishing emails, fraudulent texts, and fake websites often look convincing, and scammers count on people acting quickly without questioning.

Before you click:

• Look closely at the sender’s email address or phone number. Does it look off?

• Hover over links to preview the URL before opening.

• Be skeptical of messages that create urgency, like “your account will be closed today” or “click here to claim your prize.”

If in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website or app instead of clicking on a link. “That extra moment of pause can be the difference between safety and compromise,” Warder explains.

2. Lock It Down with Strong Passwords

Your password is your first line of defense against hackers. Unfortunately, many people still reuse passwords across accounts or stick to easy-to-guess choices like birthdays or pet names.

A strong password should be:

• Unique: Never reuse the same password across different sites.

• Complex: Mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

• Protected: Store them in a password manager instead of relying on memory.

Whenever possible, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra step—like entering a code texted to your phone or using a biometric scan—so even if your password is stolen, your account remains protected.

“Alliant uses advanced authentication measures to safeguard member accounts,” Warder notes. “But members can further strengthen security by making sure their passwords are tough to crack.”

3. Stay Alert and Speak Up

Even with strong passwords and cautious clicking, threats can still slip through. That’s why staying alert and reporting anything suspicious right away is so important.

Watch for signs like:

• Unexpected login notifications.

• Unrecognized charges on your account.

• Emails asking for sensitive information.

If you see something unusual in your Alliant account, contact us immediately. The faster you act, the faster we can help protect your finances.

“Cybercriminals succeed when people ignore small red flags,” Warder emphasizes. “Speaking up—whether to your financial institution, employer, or even a friend—can prevent a small concern from becoming a major issue.”

A Shared Responsibility

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is more than an annual reminder—it’s a call to action. At Alliant, we invest in cutting-edge technology and monitoring systems to protect your accounts, but every member plays a vital role in keeping the digital community safe.

By following Jamie Warder’s three simple steps, think before you click, lock it down, and stay alert and speak up, you can help stop cybercriminals in their tracks and safeguard your personal and financial information.

This October, take a few minutes to review your online habits. Update your passwords. Question that suspicious link. And remember: when in doubt, report it. Together, we can create a safer digital world.