Government authorities in Texas and Indiana issued public safety warnings encouraging residents to strengthen their online security as national observances for Cybersecurity Awareness Month began in October 2026.
Constable Mark Herman's Office in Harris County, Texas, advised citizens to guard against digital scams, particularly phishing attempts delivered through emails, text messages, fraudulent links, and attachments designed to steal personal data or deploy malware.
To prevent security breaches, local law enforcement urged individuals to verify sender credentials, examine links carefully, avoid submitting passwords through unsolicited messages, and contact institutions directly using verified contact information when suspicious communications arrive.
Indiana Proclaims Awareness Month
Concurrently, Indiana Governor Mike Braun proclaimed the state's observance of the awareness month, highlighting defense strategies against digital threats targeting essential public systems and individual privacy.
"Cyberattacks pose a serious threat, especially to critical infrastructure, safety systems and essential services," said Gov. Braun.
The declaration follows the governor's establishment of the Office of Cybersecurity within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security on July 24, 2026, which was created to coordinate statewide defensive efforts against digital infrastructure attacks.
"These challenges demand our focus, and my administration is committed to leading the effort to protect Indiana and strengthen our cybersecurity resilience," said Gov.
Braun.
State security guidelines recommend that residents adopt fundamental precautions, including creating robust passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, maintaining updated antivirus software, regularly backing up essential files, and withholding financial details from unknown senders.
