By Susan Hoffman
Edge Managing Editor
Every year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month takes place during the month of October. During October, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) “lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.”
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Different This Year
In the past, the weeks of Cybersecurity Awareness Month have typically used different themes, such as critical infrastructure, law enforcement, education and cybercrime. This year, CISA and NCA have chosen to focus on one theme for all of Cybersecurity Awareness Month: “See Yourself in Cyber.”
Through the use of this theme, CISA and NCA hope to encourage both personal and business computer users to follow good cybersecurity precautions, including the use of:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Strong passwords and a password manager
- Up-to-date software
- Phishing reports
RELATED: How to Maintain Your Cybersecurity as You’re Traveling
Good Cybersecurity Affects All Aspects of Our Lives
Using good cybersecurity practices protects our desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones from malware infection. Good cybersecurity also enables our checking and banking accounts to remain safe from cybercriminals and online gaming to remain fun.
In business, regular cybersecurity training can also protect critical infrastructure such as power plants and water companies. Employees and organizational leaders should also be able to recognize the signs of phishing attempts and spearphishing to protect business computers and networks from infection. It’s also useful to stay up to date with new cyberthreats, especially as more and more of our “smart” devices become connected to the Internet of Things.
RELATED: LiFi: A Better Way to Ensure Cybersecurity on Computers
The University Offers Various Academic Programs in Cybersecurity
If you’re interested in advancing your cybersecurity knowledge, the University offers several programs relating to cybersecurity:
- Graduate NanoCert® in advanced cybersecurity/cybercrime
- Graduate certificate in cybercrime
- Graduate certificate in information assurance
- Master’s degree in cybersecurity studies
- Undergraduate certificate in cybercrime essentials
- Undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity
- Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity
- Undergraduate NanoCert® in cybersecurity/cybercrime
For more information about these programs, please contact the University.
Comments are closed.