We have officially entered the month of October, which means it’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s theme is Do Your Part #BeCyberSmart. To start off the month, we should address what cybersecurity is and why it is important. Cybersecurity is the process of protecting our information, networks, and devices. We want to ensure that malicious actors do not have access that can compromise our information and systems’ confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Malicious actors use various techniques and tools to target us and our systems. They understand that weak points exist, and they try to find those points and exploit them. We hear about these attacks every day. It is estimated that in 2021 there is a ransomware attack every 11 seconds [2]. Attacks on small businesses have grown 400 percent since the beginning of the global pandemic [3]. These numbers continue to increase every year which means cybersecurity is of the utmost importance.
Organizations and companies like our university are constantly working to make sure that everything remains secure, but to be successful, everyone needs to do their part. So throughout this month, we will be providing you with some tips, information, and best practices. Awareness is vital so that we can be vigilant and prevent an attack from spreading. To get us started, follow these simple tips:
- Use antivirus software
- Keep software up to date
- Utilize strong passwords
- Enable multi-factor authentication on all your accounts
- Watch for phishing. Be suspicious of requests for credentials and personal information.
Lastly, remember to reach out to your Fordham IT team if you are unsure about something or have a question or concern. IT Customer Care can be reached by calling (718) 817-3999 or via email HelpIT@fordham.edu.
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