This October, NC will once again participate in the Get Cyber Safe Cyber Security Awareness Month campaign, an internationally recognized campaign, to inform staff, faculty and students at NC of the importance of cyber security. From being more secure in your online activities, to being informed and taking simple steps to better protect yourself, your family, and the college community – cyber security is everyone’s responsibility.
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed new challenges in keeping everyone safe online. With many NC staff and faculty currently working remotely and about half of NC’s total student population studying remotely, the online environment has changed and needs to be protected from malicious actors now more than ever. The current situation has also highlighted the important use of our devices, which have become an integral part of our lives.
The 2020 Cyber Security Awareness Month campaign focuses on these devices, encouraging users to take stock of the devices they use on a daily basis and providing tips about how to keep them safe and secure (regular updates, strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, no dropping them in puddles).
During week one, you can start by taking stock of your own cyber security knowledge by completing the Get Cyber Safe Assessment Checkup and considering the following:
- Think about the devices you haven’t used in a while;
- Keep a “device diary”;
- Think about devices you might not consider to be a risk;
- Dispose of any unwanted devices safely.
Take stock of the devices you own — some could probably use some TLC. For others, it may be time to RIP.#GetCyberSafe by making a list of your devices and deciding which need to be secured and which need to be disposed of securely. t.co/BCmD4kC7ab #CSAM2020 pic.twitter.com/rVTvPGl24P
— Get Cyber Safe (@GetCyberSafe) October 2, 2020
Taking stock of your devices can be a great way of staying cyber secure. Follow these steps to develop your own list of what you need to take stock of. Read more here.
Stay tuned for additional communications in the coming weeks about keeping your devices secure – the better we treat our devices, the more likely they are to keep our information safe, which also contributes to the security of our NC systems.
For tips and resources on how to protect yourself and your devices online, visit getcybersafe.ca. For NC-specific resources on cyber security and device support, visit the ITS website.
Check out other helpful resources related to COVID-19 to keep you cybersafe:
Staying cyber secure during COVID-19
Staying cyber safe during COVID-19
Three ways to stay cyber secure (while working from home)
Cyber security in COVID-19: How to set up a cyber secure home office
Information and images sourced from getcybersafe.gc.ca.
