New Zealand's National Cyber Security Centre said on September 29 that Cyber Smart Week 2026 will run from October 5 to 11, with a campaign theme urging people to "find a scam before it finds you". The agency said organisations can register for free and access campaign resources online.
What the campaign covers
The NCSC described Cyber Smart Week as New Zealand's annual national cyber security awareness campaign, held each October and aimed at helping individuals and organisations strengthen their online security.
The agency said it chose scams as this year's framing because it gives New Zealanders an easy way to talk about risks they encounter day to day.
What the NCSC says
NCSC Deputy Director-General Catriona Robinson said: "People are our strongest line of defence. We are using 'scams' this Cyber Smart Week as an easy way for New Zealanders to talk about the risks they face every day. This will help people recognise suspicious activity and build simple cyber security habits that can protect them."
Robinson said cyber security is a critically important consideration for every New Zealand business and organisation, and that organisations need to be doing basic preventative measures including data back-ups, multi-factor authentication and having an incident plan.
She also said the agency's research indicates new artificial intelligence tools are making people feel more vulnerable to attack, and that public coverage of cyber incidents can encourage organisations to take action. Her message to organisations was not to wait until another organisation has lost data, money and reputation before acting.
How to take part
The NCSC said organisations can register for free and access Cyber Smart Week resources at www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/csw.
The agency said it has resources and guidance to assist both individuals and organisations to be better prepared, and that Robinson is available for interviews through media@ncsc.govt.nz.
What to do
- Organisations can register for Cyber Smart Week for free and download resources at www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/csw, the NCSC said.
- The NCSC recommends organisations put basic preventative measures in place: data back-ups, multi-factor authentication and an incident plan.
- The agency advises acting now rather than waiting until another organisation suffers a loss of data, money or reputation.
- Individuals are encouraged to learn to recognise suspicious activity and build simple cyber security habits.
Key facts and where they come from
- Cyber Smart Week 2026 runs from October 5 to 11.
Cyber Smart Week runs from 5–11 October 2026.
- The campaign theme asks New Zealanders to spot scams early.
using Cyber Smart Week (5-11 October) to remind people and organisations to "find a scam before it finds you"
- The NCSC lists backups, MFA and incident plans as basic measures for organisations.
Organisations need to be doing basic preventative measures including data back-ups, multi-factor authentication and having an incident plan.
- The agency says its research links AI tools to increased feelings of vulnerability.
Our research tells us that new artificial intelligence tools are making people feel more vulnerable to attack
- Registration and resources are free via the Own Your Online site.
Organisations can register for free and access Cyber Smart Week resources at www.ownyouronline.govt.nz/csw