Department of War promotes ‘Brilliant at the Basics’ for Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The Office of the Chief Information Officer today launched the Department of War’s “Brilliant at the Basics” campaign for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a monthlong push to reinforce core practices across Information Technology and Operational Technology to help navigate evolving threats while preserving a digital advantage.

“Cybersecurity starts with the basics,” said Honorable Kirsten Davies, Department of War chief information officer. “This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we are sharing foundational, actionable steps for our warfighters, civilian workforce, and defense industrial base partners to protect our technology ecosystem, both IT and OT. As we pursue innovative technologies, and reintegrate our industrial base, we must also maintain strong cyber fundamentals that protect our people, systems, and mission. Being ‘Brilliant at the Basics’ is not just a slogan; it is a mission imperative.”

Officials said the effort will feature daily posts, practical tips, and resources organized into four weekly themes:
– Be Aware: Understand digital environments and identify vulnerabilities across connected IT networks, OT infrastructure, and government-furnished equipment.
– Be Vigilant: Practice proactive security measures including strong authentication, credential hygiene, and anti-phishing tactics to reduce cyber risk.
– Be Secure: Protect mission-critical data and systems by reducing internet-facing systems, encrypting connections, patching, and ensuring only authorized equipment connects to defense networks.
– Be Connected: Champion a culture of collective defense by promptly reporting suspicious cyber activity and promptly responding to cyber tasking orders.

Acknowledging the role of small, medium, and nontraditional businesses in driving innovation, the campaign includes tailored guidance and accessible resources for defense industrial base partners. It will also highlight low-cost and no-cost support programs aligned with IT and OT best practices issued in July 2026 to help strengthen the broader industrial base.

For updates, event details, and additional materials, follow the official DoW CIO social media channels and visit dowcio.war.gov.