Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue

OIT News

A Cyber Security Guide for Higher Ed

A cyber security guide for higher ed. Graphic depicts the National Cybersecurity awareness logo alongside security locks and hands typing on a laptop.

What Students, Faculty, and Staff Need to Know

October is a special month for online safety, especially for those of us in higher education. It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), a time when we focus on learning how to keep ourselves and our digital lives secure. In this article, we’ll explore why NCSAM matters to us and how it directly affects our community in higher education.

Understanding NCSAM:

National Cyber Security Awareness Month, or NCSAM, is an important campaign that happens every October. It’s all about helping everyone stay safe and secure online. It started in 2003 and has grown into a global effort to make the internet a safer place.

The Main Goals:

  1.  Stay Informed: NCSAM aims to make sure everyone knows how to protect themselves online. This includes things like how to recognize scams, create strong passwords, and keep personal information safe.
  2. Help for Education: For those of us in higher education, NCSAM provides resources and tips specifically designed for our environment. This helps us keep our information secure.
  3. Building a Safe Community: NCSAM encourages all of us to work together in creating a safer internet. This means looking out for each other and sharing knowledge about online safety.

NCSAM for You in Higher Education:

Whether you’re a student, faculty, or staff member in higher education, NCSAM has something special for you:

  1. Easy-to-Understand Guides: NCSAM offers simple and clear resources just for higher education. You can find tips on protecting your assignments, research, and personal information online.
  2. Learning Opportunities: Join in on training sessions and workshops during NCSAM. These sessions are made just for you, and they’ll help you learn the latest ways to stay safe online.
  3. Connect with Others: NCSAM is also about meeting and learning from others in our field. You can connect with fellow students and staff to share experiences and learn about new threats.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is something you should pay attention to. By using the resources and opportunities NCSAM provides, you can help keep our online community safe. Let’s all work together to make the internet a safer place for everyone in higher education.

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.