Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 is coming to a close. This year, we hosted three webinars, promoted key behaviors to encourage every employee to take control of their online lives, and published weekly newsletters full of original content authored by WashU’s Office of Information Security.
Below, you will find a recap of some of the key events and resources we have produced this October, along with opportunities for you to get involved. Thank you for all you do to help keep WashU secure.
Awareness Month Competition
Our Cybersecurity Awareness Month competitions are always popular. Throughout 2022, thousands of faculty, staff, and students participated in our competitions, where they brushed up on their knowledge of security best practices, earning a chance to win Bear Bucks. As part of our awareness month activities this year, we will be selecting four Bear Bucks award winners (with the grand prize of $1,000 in addition to $500, $300, and $200) from the folks who have taken some time to watch the highly entertaining and educational Inside Man series. You can receive multiple entries for viewing multiple episodes, so please be sure to keep watching!
Participation in the competition is open until November 6, and we will announce the four lucky winners in December. Show us how cyber smart you are by heading over to our competition page for more instructions about getting entered to win: Learn About Cybersecurity and Win Big This October | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events
Thinking outside the box: Creating a Cyber Aware Culture Beyond the Compliance with Kristi Cook
On October 11, Senior Manager of Global Security at Peabody Energy, Kristi Cook, explored ways to engage with users to keep awareness alive to a group of 48 people. Those who could not attend or wish to revisit the presentation can watch a recording of the webinar on YouTube.
Cyber Security for Research
On October 18, Kevin Hardcastle, Associate Chief Information Security Officer, discussed many of the pending cybersecurity requirements for academic research, how they will impact research, and when we need to comply with those regulations.
Those who could not join the 105 live attendees or wish to revisit the presentation can watch a recording of the webinar on YouTube.
There is even more to learn about information security for researchers on our website’s research tab. It includes a glossary of information security and research terms and discussions of information security concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, data classification, and research data security.
Comparing Attacks from 2008 to Today
Brian Allen, Information Security Director, presented on October 26 about a real-world incident we experienced 15 years ago and what that would look like if it occurred today.
Those who could not join the 43 live attendees or wish to revisit the presentation can watch a recording of the webinar on Microsoft Stream.
E-Waste Recycling and Confidential Paper Shredding Event
On October 31 from 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., the Office of Sustainability will collect “anything with a cord” for recycling and confidential paper for secure shredding. The accepted list of e-waste includes computers and accessories, lawn and garden equipment, power tools, and kitchen appliances. CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes are acceptable at this time. For more details about the event, visit E-Waste Recycling and Confidential Paper Shredding Event (WUSM) | Sustainability | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu).
Weekly Tips and Stories
Each week, we published tips and stories about cybersecurity basics that can make a huge difference to your online safety. Let us look back on our releases:
October 4: Google Yourself | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
October 10: Spot the Fake Login | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
October 11: Unexpected Emails | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
October 16: Creating Strong Passwords | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
October 17: Weak Passwords | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
October 18: Password Managers | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
October 23: Stay Safe on Social Media | Office of Information Security | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
For more stories, tips, and event announcements, be sure to keep up with our Office of Information Security newsfeed!
Thanks for a great month! We’re already looking forward to 2024.