With massive data breaches like the one at Equifax (what to do if you are affected) constantly in the news, it sometimes feels as if we are under siege and helpless to defend ourselves. Yet we now have more power than ever before to control digital identity and important financial and other sensitive accounts. Take some time this month to learn how to to protect your identity, information, and accounts.
Every October the U-M Office of Information Assurance (IA) leads a celebration of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) by hosting events, sharing tips, and generally taking every opportunity possible to remind us all of our shared responsibility to protect and secure university information—and our own.
NCSAM is spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
What to watch for during October
- Daily tweets with cyber security and privacy tips. Follow @umichTECH.
- Events at U-M and online, including these two special events:
- Oct. 11. Dissonance pop-up—1:30 p.m. presentation at Rackham Auditorium on the the Ann Arbor campus by Cathy O’Neil on the topic of her book, Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy.
- Oct. 19. SUMIT_2017—Annual free conference at Rackham Auditorium where you can hear recognized experts discuss the latest technical, legal, policy, and operational trends, threats, and tools in cybersecurity and privacy. This year’s theme is surveillance, censorship and internet freedom.
- An October 5 email to faculty and staff with IT security and privacy tips.
- On October 17, increased protection from malicious websites on U-M networks. (See Protection from Malicious Websites on UM-Ann Arbor Networks.)
- A new U-M anti-phishing course that walks you through the detection skills you need to recognize phishing scams: Look Before You Click. Beware of Phishing! (10-15 minutes; login with UMICH (Level-1) password required).
We all have a role to play in protecting privacy and sensitive information. Stay aware, keep learning, and share tips. It’s good for you and good for the U.
