Tips to Strengthen Your Credit Union’s Cybersecurity Practices

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on October 22, 2026

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so it’s a good time to revisit key security practices and share resources that can help credit unions stay prepared for evolving cyber threats.

Cybersecurity requires ongoing attention from every member of a credit union team. Protecting member data, educating members about ways to safeguard their personal information, and having a clear plan to respond quickly to an incident are all essential to reducing risk and maintaining trust.

Here are a few reminders to help your credit union strengthen its cybersecurity efforts:

Maintain Strong Security Practices

• Review systems regularly to identify potential vulnerabilities and address security gaps.
• Strengthen password policies for administrative platforms, employee accounts, and vendor systems.
• Verify that system redundancies are secure and tested regularly.
• Use multi-factor authentication wherever possible and routinely review user permissions for critical systems.

Keep Communication Plans Current

• Review and update communication plans to ensure your credit union can quickly notify employees, members, and regulators if a security incident occurs.
• The GoWest Marketing & PR Resource Center offers resources to help credit unions communicate proactively with members and provide guidance during an incident. Explore the Cybersecurity Crisis Communications Playbook for additional support.

Manage Third-Party Vendor Risk

• Regularly review third-party vendor relationships and system access. Because vulnerabilities in vendor systems can expose credit unions to cyber threats, limit access to what is necessary and verify that vendors have appropriate security measures in place.

Strengthen Backup and Recovery Measures

• Ensure systems are backed up regularly, backups are securely stored, and recovery processes are tested.
• Test backup and recovery procedures to confirm your credit union can restore critical systems and data and minimize downtime following a cyberattack.

Help Members Protect Their Accounts

• Encourage members to use strong, unique passwords and remain alert to phishing attempts, identity theft, and other cyber threats.
• Remind members to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity and contact their credit union promptly if they notice anything unusual. Consider targeted password resets when warranted by suspicious activity or a potential compromise.

Be sure to subscribe to GoWest’s Compliance Bulletins and Fraud Alerts, and if you have questions or need guidance on cybersecurity concerns, the GoWest Compliance Team is available to help.

Posted in Compliance Resources, Top Headlines.