Cyber Security Awareness Month is Here

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM).  Technology plays such an integral role in our daily lives—everything from paying bills to controlling our TV lineup is managed online. The wealth of information stored online about each one of us is staggering. As part of Security Awareness Month will be looking at how to keep you safe and protected both online and at work.

Just take a moment to consider the various accounts you have and the services you use. These companies have information about your spending patterns, your entertainment patterns, and your various interests right at their fingertips. Although most of us enjoy the convenience of having all of this data stored and synchronized across multiple devices, there is a cost to having this data propagated everywhere. The protection of this information starts with you.

Throughout the month of October, OIT will send you weekly emails that will help you increase your knowledge and awareness about cybersecurity.

I work with Cybersecurity Superheroes!Security Showdown

As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, we will be hosting our first Security Showdown on the afternoon on October 21st. Go ahead and mark your calendars. The theme this year is “I work with Superheroes” and if you know of any cybersecurity superheroes, we want to know about them.  We will have more information about this interactive event in the coming weeks.

Nominate An SMU Cybersecurity Superhero!

Cybersecurity Superheroes

SMU is searching for Cybersecurity Superheroes and we need your help to find them!  They may look like a mild-mannered SMU employee, but in the last 12 months, they’ve donned their capes and thwarted cybervillains big and small. They’ve gone back to their everyday lives, but we want to let them know we remember them! Continue reading Nominate An SMU Cybersecurity Superhero!

Save the Date: OIT Security Showdown

UPDATE: The schedule for the Security Showdown is now available.

I work with Cybersecurity Superheroes!
In conjunction with National Security Awareness Month in October, OIT will be hosting a Security Showdown on Friday, October 21st from 1–3. Join us for tips, tricks, and learn how to better protect yourself and the University. We will offer mini sessions on security topics, prize drawings, and much much more. Continue reading Save the Date: OIT Security Showdown

Lynda Helps Staff Sharpen Skills

lynda.comIt’s been almost a year since SMU began offering Lynda.com’s full library of learning courses to students, faculty, and staff. In that year, over 1,200 people have taken advantage of this enormous benefit to the campus. One of the largest groups that have taken courses through lynda.com has been staff members. We’ve touched base with a few of our colleagues across the University to see what they’ve thought about their experiences with lynda.com. Continue reading Lynda Helps Staff Sharpen Skills