National Cyber Security Awareness Month is almost over!! Don't miss our activities listed below. Click here to jump down to the final week (Week 4).
NCSAM 2021’s theme is:
Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.
As stated by the National Cybersecurity Alliance, “the theme empowers individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace. If everyone does their part – implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees – our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.”
To help educate users like you about how you can Do Your Part to secure your information and that of the people around you, whether they are in your family or organization.
University Information Security (InfoSec) is rolling out exciting, interactive content in recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). It emphasizes what we must do to keep our Internet and University and personal data secure all year long.
Practicing good cyber hygiene and smart digital interactions to maintain individual security is the shared responsibility. The University of Virginia is home not only to premier public education but also to premier cyber security thanks to the vigilance of UVA network users like you.
This NCSAM, UVA InfoSec asks you to keep up the good work and engage with the topics and themes specially tailored for our students', faculty's, and staff’s needs. Take a look at our UVA NCSAM schedule infographic to get a look at when and where to engage with exciting interactive content throughout the month.
NCSAM Weekly Themes
NSCAM has four weeks and each week has its own sub-theme and purpose that relates back to the overarching theme: Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.
All weekly themes are included below.
Be sure to log into UVA's Living Security platform for educational videos and weekly challenges. The more you participate the more points you earn.
If you have any questions about the activities below do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
Check back weekly during the month of October for updates! Scroll down to see the events for Week 3!
Week 1: Be Cyber Smart (October 4-10)
As our lives have become increasingly dependent on technology, virtually all personal and business data is kept on internet-connected platforms, which can become a gold mine for bad actors. The first full week of NCSAM will highlight best security practices and focus on general cyber hygiene to keep your information safe. Own your role in cybersecurity by starting with the basics. Creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication, backing up your data, and updating your software are a great start to Do Your Part #BeCyberSmart!
Module Monday -
Big Ideas - Password Management
Compliance Basics: Data Privacy
Compliance Basics: PII
Topic Tuesday -
Have you participated in our past escape rooms whether it was in-person or virtual? Don't miss our new virtual escape room except this time you won't be escaping. You'll be part of a team called The Group. Here is a short introduction. Be sure to check out the trailer.
Jacob Webb, code-named xGhost, never considered a life as a cyber-operative until he was hand-picked as a candidate for a government-funded, cyber training Program. The Program is designed to defend critical assets and infrastructure by operating in the shadows and infiltrating the cyber underground. As xGhost and the other candidates enter Phase 3 of their training, their anticipation of real-world operations grows. But the veil of secrecy leads xGhost into doing someone else’s bidding. Check out the trailer here.
Find 6 to 9 of your colleagues and contact us at [email protected] to schedule a session anytime this month or throughout the year. Complete with colleagues to see which team can be at the top of the leaderboard. At the end of each campaign, the group in the top three places will win a prize. Want to join in on the fun but can't find anyone to participate. Let us know. We will put together a group for you!
Be sure your settings are compatible for the best gaming experience. Click here to run a system check prior to your cyber escape online experience.
What2Know Wednesday -
Check out our Online Privacy article here to reduce your risk of becoming on cybercrime victim.
Take it In Thursday -
How to Secure Your Online Life
Infographic Friday -
Week 2: Phight the Phish (October 11-17)
Phishing attacks and scams have increased since the COVID pandemic began in 2020 and today, phishing attacks account for more than 80 percent of reported security incidents. Week 2 of NCSAM will stress the importance of being wary of emails, text messages, or chat boxes that come from a stranger or someone you were not expecting. Think before you click on any suspicious emails, links, or attachments and make sure to report any suspicious emails if you can!
Module Monday -
Big Idea - Phishing
Security Basics - Smishing
Topic Tuesday -
Fundamentals of Shoring Up Defense
Don't get gift card scammed!
Don't forget to sign up for our new virtual escape room by emailing [email protected]! Be sure your settings are compatible for the best gaming experience. Click here to run a system check prior to your cyber escape online experience.
What2Know Wednesday -
To Click or Not to Click, That is the Question
Take it In Thursday -
Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing: How Can I Protect My Business from These Threats?
Infographic Friday -
The simulated phishing results are in! We know these are the results from last May, but we are always planning our next simulated phishing event. Check out how the University did in the Spring of 2021. Can we show our cyber smarts and improve our numbers this Fall? We think you can!
Week 3: Cybersafe Family (October 18-24)
This will be tailored towards parents, who are responsible not only for their own information, but that of their children. Children are at higher risk of falling prey to online threats, since they have less understanding about the dangers of interacting on the web. Therefore, Week 3 will focus on providing resources and education to parents to helpt them keep their family cyber secure.
Module Monday -Each Monday launches the week's new modules and activities in the Living Security Platform. (You will use Netbadge to login.)
Security Basics - Reusing Passwords
Case in Point: Advance Financial Social Engineering
Topic Tuesday - An article or big announcement will be provided on Tuesdays as the week’s topic of interest!
Release A Parent's Guide to CyberSecurity article
Don't forget to sign up for our new virtual escape room by emailing [email protected]! Be sure your settings are compatible for the best gaming experience. Click here to run a system check prior to your cyber escape online experience.
What2Know Wednesday - Each Wednesday, we'll offer information about cyber security things you should know.
Family First Resources
Take it In Thursday - On Thursdays, we'll share a live or recorded cyber security webinar
Register for our webinar October 21, 2021 at 1pm.
Cybersecurity at Home - Does the idea of making your home cyber secure seem a little intimidating? No worries. Emmy award-winning cyber news reporter Kerry Tomlinson guides you through the four most important basic steps for keeping yourself and your family safe while working, living and playing from home. Even if technology makes you nervous, you’ll come away with a solid understanding of what to do and how to do it — with a little humor added in --- in this Family First Webinar, Cybersecurity at Home: Work > Play > Live Secure.
Through engaging story-telling from the world of TV news, Kerry will offer actionable takeaways regarding:
-The easiest ways to keep cyber attackers out of your home
-How to make sense of your home router
-How to turn passwords from foes to friends
Infographic Friday - We all love infographics! Okay maybe it is just us. But you won't want to miss these! Each week we will post an infographic referencing the week's theme.
Week 4: Cybersecurity First (October 25-31)
This week is all about making security a priority. For businesses, this means building security into products and processes. Make cybersecurity training a part of employee onboarding and equip staff with the tools they need to keep the organization safe. For individuals, keep cybersecurity at the forefront of your mind as you connect daily. Before purchasing a device or online product, do your research. When you set up a new device or app, consider your security and privacy settings and update default passwords. Cybersecurity should not be an afterthought.
Module Monday -Each Monday launches the week's new modules and activities in the Living Security Platform. (You will use Netbadge to login.)
Security Basics - Encryption
Hot Spot Work From Home Puzzle
Topic Tuesday - An article or big announcement will be provided on Tuesdays as the week’s topic of interest!
What2Know Wednesday - Each Wednesday, we'll offer information about cyber security things you should know.
How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network
The Importance of Using a VPN.
Take it In Thursday - On Thursdays, we'll share a live or recorded cyber security webinar
Telework Cybersecurity Best Practices
Infographic Friday - We all love infographics! Okay, maybe it is just us. But you won't want to miss these! Each week we will post an infographic referencing the week's theme.
