Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance is taking an active role in 2026’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, unveiling new and updated resources from its Cybersecurity & Payments AI Project Team.

The new resource is a “Hacker Hunt” game designed to familiarize employees with common scam communications and generate discussion about the best practices for distinguishing scam from safe communications.

The Alliance also updated a tabletop exercise kit to help small- to medium-sized businesses prepare for a ransomware cyberattack. The kit includes an evolving ransomware scenario, participant workbook, and leaders’ discussion guide.

These kits are designed for small- to medium-sized companies to conduct a two- to three-hour cybersecurity tabletop exercise that promotes understanding and discussion to help prepare for a cybersecurity incident.

The imperative to prepare is real. The World Economic Forum’s “Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026” found 46% of small organizations reported a lack of cybersecurity skills and expertise, compared with 29% of large organizations. Additionally, the report said that “small organizations (by revenue) are twice as likely to experience insufficient resilience levels as large organizations.”

“Cybersecurity Awareness Month has been a staple since 2004, with its importance increasing exponentially every year, particularly given the rise of artificial intelligence,” said Jennifer West, AAP, AFPP, APRP, Nacha Senior Director, Payments Innovation Alliance, Education and Accreditation. “Organizations of all sizes need to be proactive, not reactive. The tools we’re unveiling today can particularly help small and medium-sized firms.”

“This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is ‘Securing the Next 250,’ a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said West. “The Alliance is honored to do its part in helping build a more secure digital future.”

Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance is a membership organization bringing together diverse, global stakeholders to grow and advance future payment trends, collaborate, and provide solutions. Visit the Nacha Payments Innovation Alliance website to discover more about what the Alliance does and ways to get involved with fellow payments industry leaders. To learn more about the Cybersecurity & Payments AI Project Team visit their website.

About Nacha

Nacha governs the thriving ACH Network, the payment system that drives safe, smart, and fast Direct Deposits and Direct Payments with the capability to reach all U.S. bank and credit union accounts. There were 35.2 billion ACH Network payments made in 2025, valued at $93 trillion. Through problem-solving and consensus-building among diverse payment industry stakeholders, Nacha advances innovation and interoperability in the payments system. Nacha develops rules and standards, provides industry solutions, and delivers education, accreditation, and advisory services.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261001309756/en/

“Cybersecurity Awareness Month has been a staple since 2004, with its importance increasing exponentially every year, particularly given the rise of artificial intelligence.”