October 2022 Cyber Security Awareness Month
- Tracy King
What is Cyber Security Awareness Month?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is observed every October and was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every person has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.
This initiative was started 17 years ago by the National Cyber Security Division within the Department of Homeland Security and the nonprofit National Cyber Security Alliance to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
Cyber Security Month Takes On Hackers and Phishers
It Takes Teamwork to Take Down the Threat to Our Institution
Though threats to cybersecurity bombard us in the news, imagine if a slip-up on your work computer takes down the entire Selkirk College system! It’s a real possibility.
During October, the college’s IT Services Team is partnering with KnowBE4 in recognizing Cybersecurity Awareness Month by offering training opportunities to stay cyber secure, both at work and at home. Throughout the month of October, all Selkirk College staff are being asked to participate in a series of short (about 5 minutes) and interactive weekly training sessions to help us dull the possibility of an ever-present threat.
Not only will participation in these sessions reduce the risk of future attacks, you will have a chance to win prizes. Even if your name doesn’t come up in the draw, we all win because avoiding a cyber attack let’s us all concentrate fully on the task of serving learners in the best way possible.
How Do I Participate?Any employee who completes all four weekly activities will be entered to win the Cyber Security Grand Prize Package worth over $100. Live prize draw will be held via Zoom on Thursday, November 3 at 11:30 am. These sessions (and the draw) are for Selkirk College employees only. If you have any questions about this awareness campaign, please feel free to reach out to an IT Services team member. Please take the time to protect yourself, your co-workers and the institution from those who wish to do harm to the college’s day-to-day operations. Gaining a better understanding has been made easy by KnowBE4, all you need to do is log-in and participate! Thanks for taking part in Selkirk College’s 2022 Cybersecurity Awareness Month. | |||
Four Weeks of Better Preparation and Prevention
As you scroll through your email in October, be sure to take action on the KnowBE4 secure links that will lead you through the following activities:
Week 1: October 6 to 12 - Cyber Security at Work
Mini-Game… 2022 Danger Zone. A hacker has made it inside our offices and has spotted an unlocked workstation. Can you use enough cybersecurity knowledge to stop the hacker before they compromise our network? In this browser-based mini-game, answer security awareness training-related questions correctly, and you will move closer to the workstation. Answer incorrectly, and the hacker will move closer. Stop the hacker, get to that workstation, and save the organization. Game on!
Week 2: October 13 to 19 - Watch Out for That Phish, Credential Harvesting Attack
Phishing is still the most common method for bad actors to compromise networks and organizations and cannot be discussed enough when it comes to security awareness training content. In this short four-minute video, you will learn how bad actors can trick you into giving up sensitive information and what red flags to watch out for when requests for login information are involved.
Week 3: October 20 to 24 - More than Just Phishing
2022 Social Engineering Red Flags. Emails are only one tool in the cybercriminal toolbox, meaning you need to be knowledgeable about multiple social engineering tactics and strategies to keep Selkirk College secure. This course explains how to spot the red flags and signs of danger associated with common social engineering methods.
Week 4: October 25 to October 31 - Two-Factor Authentication Interactive Training
In this five-minute video module, Kevin Mitnick demonstrates how having two-factor authentication set up can still leave you vulnerable to a phishing attack if you don’t stop, look, and think before taking action on a phishing link.
Resources
Global Knowledge - Cyber Security Free Training
Cyber Security Terminology - Cheat Sheet
Security Awareness Quiz - Working Remotely