October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it's a perfect time to reinforce our collective commitment to digital safety. As college staff, you handle sensitive information daily, making you a critical part of our institution's Cybersecurity defenses. Let's work together to build a more secure environment!
Core Principles for a Secure Digital Life
🔑 Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Your password is your first line of defense. Make it count!
- Create long, unique passphrases that you can easily remember (e.g., "BaconLettuceTomato!77"). 12-16 characters is a good length.
- Use a different password for every account. A password manager can help you manage them securely.
- Always enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) wherever possible, especially for your college accounts. It's the most effective way to prevent unauthorized access even if your password is stolen.
- Never share your password or MFA codes with anyone, not even IT.
🎣 Spot & Report Phishing
Phishing attempts are growing more sophisticated. Be vigilant!
- STOP, LOOK, AND THINK: Before clicking, opening, or replying, scrutinize all unexpected emails.
- Check the Sender: Does the email address match the sender's name? Look for misspellings or odd domains.
- Hover Over Links: Don't click! Hover your mouse over any link to see the true address.
- Watch for Urgency/Threats: Phishing emails often create a sense of panic or urgency to bypass your judgment.
- Unexpected Attachments: Never open attachments from unknown or suspicious senders.
- Report It! If you suspect a phishing attempt, report it in Outlook. Do not simply delete it.
💻 Secure Your Private Devices
Your college-issued device is managed and automatically protected by NIC. Keep your personal device secure by:
- Applying Software Updates: Enable automatic updates for your operating system, web browsers, and all applications. Updates often include critical security patches.
- Use Antivirus / Antimalware: Ensure your college device has approved security software installed and running.
- Lock Your Screen: Always lock your computer when stepping away, even for a moment. (Windows: Win+L, Mac: Ctrl+Cmd+Q).
- Beware of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive college data or personal banking on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Use the college's VPN if working remotely.
- Encrypt Sensitive Data: Store sensitive data only on approved, encrypted college computers which are automatically encrypted. For your own devices, Use Bitlocker for Windows or FileVault for Mac.
🌐 Safe Browsing & Downloads
The internet can be a minefield if you're not careful.
- Stick to Trusted Sites: Only download software or files from reputable, official sources.
- Be Wary of Pop-ups: Never click on pop-ups that claim your computer is infected or needs a special cleaner.
- Review Permissions: When installing new apps or browser extensions, review the permissions they request carefully. If it seems excessive, don't install it.
🚨 See Something, Say Something!
You are our eyes and ears. If something feels wrong, report it immediately.
If you suspect a security incident or have questions:
Contact the IT Service Desk (Browse to https://northisland.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/78/Portal/Requests/ServiceDet?ID=1678 and click Request service) or call (250) 334-5255 during NIC business hours.