American Academy of Cybersecurity Professionals

AI is enabling smarter phishing, faster attacks, and more convincing scams.

Is your business prepared for an AI-driven threat landscape? AACSP ensures you stay ahead not behind.

AACSP gives you the foresight and skills to lead in today’s cyber environment.
Stay ahead of the curve → https://zurl.co/AwneS

🔐 Did You Know? Human Error Still Leads 2025 Cyber Risk Reports

According to Mimecast’s State of Human Risk 2025 report, 95% of data breaches in 2024 involved human error, not just technical failures.
📌 Source: https://zurl.co/umcJH

The 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) confirms this trend. It found that nearly 60% of all security incidents were linked to human actions like misconfigurations, phishing, or poor credential hygiene.
📌 Source: https://zurl.co/4try8

What this means for your business:
✔️ People, not just technology, are the first line of defense.
✔️ Security awareness must be continuous, not one-time.
✔️ Even small investments in training can drastically reduce cyber risk.

At AACSP, we help you build a stronger security culture through CyberSecure certification. Our program is designed to help professionals lead security strategies that focus on people, processes, and real threats.

Learn more here → https://zurl.co/UqneU

Here’s what sets AACSP’s CyberSecure certification apart:
✔️ Practical, non-technical training
✔️ Designed for business professionals
✔️ Based on real cyber threats SMBs face daily
✔️ Recognized credentials you can show clients & partners

Take the next step in your cyber maturity → https://zurl.co/pCKVs

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and few minutes of a cyber incident to ruin it.”
— Stéphane Nappo, cybersecurity expert

Cyber incidents don’t just compromise data, they erode trust, damage brand equity, and can permanently alter how customers and partners view your organization.

At AACSP, we recognize that reputation is one of the most valuable assets a business has. That’s why we focus on empowering professionals with the knowledge, standards, and awareness practices needed to prevent cyber incidents before they become brand crises.

🔐 Vendor Risk in Focus: Marquis Software Breach Exposes Data from 70+ US Banks

In December 2025, Marquis Software Solutions, a fintech vendor serving hundreds of US banks and credit unions, confirmed a ransomware breach that impacted at least 74 financial institutions.

The compromised data reportedly includes:
• Full names
• Social Security numbers
• Dates of birth
• Tax IDs
• Account details

This breach highlights a critical and growing risk, third-party vendors as targets in the supply chain. Even organizations with strong internal security can face exposure if their service providers are compromised.

📌 Full source: https://zurl.co/FupoT

As we enter 2026, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and small to midsize businesses are top targets. This year, make cybersecurity a top priority.

AACSP’s CyberSecure certification gives you the knowledge to lead, defend, and protect what matters most.

🔐 Start the year strong with proactive protection.
Explore → https://zurl.co/uGHCo

🚨 AI and Cybersecurity: OpenAI Flags 'High' Risk from New Models

OpenAI has issued a warning that its upcoming artificial intelligence models may pose a "high" cybersecurity risk, as their capabilities continue to evolve rapidly.

According to OpenAI, future AI systems could potentially:
• Develop zero-day remote exploits.
• Assist with complex enterprise or industrial intrusion operations.
• Accelerate threat actors’ capabilities beyond current levels.

To mitigate risks, OpenAI is investing in tools for defensive cybersecurity, such as code auditing and patching support, and will soon launch a Frontier Risk Council focused on cyber defense collaboration.

This marks a pivotal moment for professionals across cybersecurity, compliance, and technology leadership, AI innovation brings powerful defensive tools, but also growing threats that demand vigilance and strategy.

📌 Full source: https://zurl.co/2XEJI

OpenAI warns new models pose 'high' cybersecurity risk OpenAI on Wednesday warned that its upcoming artificial intelligence models could pose a "high" cybersecurity risk, as their capabilities advance rapidly.

🎯 New Year, New Certification
Start 2026 CyberStrong with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to defend what matters.

✅ Advance your team’s cyber readiness
✅ Build trust with clients and stakeholders
✅ Stay ahead of evolving threats

🎓 Earn your CyberSecure Certification this January.

Let’s make 2026 your most secure year yet.
👉 https://zurl.co/Ilhxb

🎄 Merry Christmas from AACSP
Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and cyber-safe holiday.
Thank you to the professionals who help keep businesses secure, today and every day.

🔐 3 End-of-Year Password Policies Every SMB Should Review

As your team prepares for holiday downtime or a new business cycle, now is the perfect time to tighten your password security.

Here are three key policies to revisit before the year ends:

1️⃣ Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all critical systems
2️⃣ Require strong, unique passwords with regular rotation
3️⃣ Disable unused accounts and conduct a credential audit

Cybercriminals love easy targets and stale password policies make it easier for them.

🎯 Strengthen your cybersecurity foundation before 2026 begins.
Earn your CyberSecure Certification and empower your team with practical, policy-driven protection.

👉 https://zurl.co/BC1yh

🔒 Holiday Phishing Alert for Business Leaders 🎄

As the year wraps up, cybercriminals ramp up.

During the holiday season, phishing attempts often increase, disguised as:

➡️ Fake vendor invoices

➡️ Urgent gift card requests from impersonated executives

➡️ Fraudulent shipping notifications from carriers like UPS or FedEx

Your team’s awareness is your first line of defense.

✔️ Remind employees to verify requests before responding
✔️ Reinforce internal reporting protocols
✔️ Review email filtering and flagging settings

End-of-year downtime doesn't mean letting your guard down.

Stay vigilant. Stay .

📰 Industry Update: FCC Rolls Back Telecom Cyber Rules

The FCC has voted 2–1 to eliminate certain mandatory cybersecurity regulations for telecom providers, shifting toward voluntary compliance.
📉 This regulatory shift raises critical questions about third-party risk and vendor accountability, especially for SMBs that rely heavily on telecom infrastructure.

🔍 Now more than ever, organizations must strengthen their vendor security frameworks, perform independent audits, and demand transparency from providers.

🛡️ At AACSP, we advocate for proactive security, regardless of mandates.

📖 Read the full story via Axios:
https://zurl.co/L3jMQ

FCC rescinds telecom cyber rules imposed after China hacked U.S. networks The Biden-era FCC established the rules in response to China's wide-reaching Salt Typhoon hacks.