Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 is coming to a close. This year, we hosted two webinars, promoted key behaviors to encourage every employee to take control of their online lives, and published weekly newsletters full of content authored by the 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 2024, hundreds of faculty, staff, and students participated in our competition, 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 play the Inside Man-themed game in KnowBe4, ‘The Inside Man: New Recruits Game.’

Participation in the competition is open until November 22, 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: https://informationsecurity.wustl.edu/learn-about-cybersecurity-and-win-big-this-october-2/

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events

Review of a Security Incident: Direct Deposit Redirection

On October 23, Information Security Assistant Director and Architect for Digital Forensics and Incident Response, Jason Murray, discussed a previous security incident on the WashU network during the last year and the new tools we use to identify and remediate threats. Those who could not attend or wish to revisit the presentation can watch a recording of the webinar on Microsoft Stream. Access to the recording is limited to the WashU community.

E-Waste Recycling and Confidential Paper Shredding Event

The Office of Sustainability collected “anything with a cord” for recycling and confidential paper for secure shredding on October 29. We’re happy to partner with them as we address the issue of electronic waste and securely dispose of old electronics in a sustainable way.

Detecting AI Voice Clones with Dr. Ning Zhang

On October 29, Ning Zhang, assistant professor of computer science & engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, presented his research on deepfake technology and the challenges ahead. Those who could not attend or wish to revisit the presentation can watch a recording of the webinar on Microsoft Stream. Access to the recording is limited to the WashU community.

Weekly Tips, Stories, and Games

Each week, we posted about cybersecurity basics that can make a huge difference to your online safety. Let us look back on our releases: