National Cybersecurity Center Launches Free Cyber Alerts to Help Americans Navigate Online Threats

National Cybersecurity Center is stepping further into the consumer cybersecurity arena with the launch of a new public service offering aimed squarely at everyday internet users.

On Tuesday, the Colorado Springs–based nonprofit unveiled Cyber Alerts, a free notification system designed to warn individuals and families about scams, credential leaks, and emerging digital threats. The goal is straightforward: translate complex cybersecurity risks into guidance people can actually understand and use.

As Americans spend more of their lives online, the scale of digital fraud continues to expand across generations. More than 18,000 people under 20 and over 101,000 adults age 60 and older have reported being affected by online scams in the United States. Yet even as incidents rise, many households remain uncertain about how to respond when they receive a suspicious email, hear about a data breach, or discover their information may be exposed.

“When it comes to staying safe online, it’s hard to know what’s real or who to trust,” said Dr. Rachel Gardner, Director of Product Development of the National Cybersecurity Center. “Cyber Alerts help close that gap by giving people timely awareness and clear, actionable guidance on what to do."

Turning Cyber Threat Intelligence Into Everyday Guidance

Unlike technical security bulletins typically written for IT professionals, Cyber Alerts are intentionally designed for non-experts. Each alert includes:

• A notification when a new or emerging online risk is identified

• A short explanation of the threat and its potential impact

• Practical steps individuals can take to reduce their risk

  
  

The approach reflects a broader shift in cybersecurity strategy. Instead of focusing solely on enterprise defenses, organizations are increasingly acknowledging that individuals are often the weakest link in the digital ecosystem. Phishing, credential stuffing, account takeovers, and social engineering attacks frequently begin at the personal level before escalating into larger breaches.

A recent example illustrates the type of alert NCC intends to issue. The organization warned subscribers about a massive exposure involving more than 149 million unprotected login credentials. The compromised accounts reportedly included services tied to major platforms such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, iCloud, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Netflix, OnlyFans, Binance, and .edu domains.

The alert advised users to immediately update passwords, enable two factor authentication, and monitor accounts for unusual activity. For many consumers, such steps are well known in theory but rarely implemented in practice until after an incident occurs.

By delivering concise instructions at the moment risk is identified, NCC hopes to shorten the time between awareness and action.

Expanding the Public Service Model of Cybersecurity

Cyber Alerts are free and open to anyone who signs up through the organization’s website. The initiative builds on NCC’s existing work across education, workforce development, and collaboration with government and industry partners.

According to NCC leadership, the new alert system reflects a belief that cybersecurity resilience must extend beyond corporate networks and federal agencies.

“Building a cyber-resilient society requires more than reacting to individual incidents,” said Greg Oslan, CEO and Chairman of the National Cybersecurity Center. “It means making online safety a daily priority, where people have consistent access to information they can trust as technology and risk continue to change.”

The launch comes at a time when consumer trust in digital platforms is under strain. Data breaches, AI-powered scams, and deepfake fraud campaigns have made it increasingly difficult for individuals to distinguish legitimate communications from malicious ones. Meanwhile, older adults and younger users alike face targeted exploitation through social media, messaging apps, and email.

By positioning Cyber Alerts as a neutral, nonprofit source of guidance, NCC is attempting to fill a trust gap in the cybersecurity ecosystem. The organization’s framing emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and immediacy rather than technical depth.

For families overwhelmed by headlines about credential leaks, phishing campaigns, and account hacks, the promise is simple: a reliable signal in a noisy threat landscape.

As cybercrime grows more automated and opportunistic, initiatives like Cyber Alerts suggest that the next frontier of digital defense may not be another firewall or AI model. It may be making sure ordinary users know what to do before they become the next statistic.