We are excited to kick off the fourth and final week of Security Awareness Month. For this week we focus on smart technologies, sometimes called the Internet of Things. This is all about connecting everyday devices to the Internet, devices from doorbells and light bulbs to toy dolls and thermostats. These connected devices can make our lives much simpler; for example, having your lights automatically activate as your phone recognizes when you get close to home. However, these devices come with their own risks. In this week we help you understand what those risks are and what you can do to secure these devices, your home, and your family.
We've posted a number of excellent resources for you including our "Privacy, Tracking and Internet of Things" presentation from Wednesday's Lunch 'N Learn.
This week our security awareness campaign focuses on recognising and combatting cybercrime.
SPAM emails, hacking attempts, ransomware, viruses, identity theft, child exploitation and on-line threats / cyberbullying are a few examples of cybercrime. It's no longer tech-savvy kids having fun - it's BIG business and it's destructive. Fortunately there are ways to protect yourself from cyber criminals. Our goal during Week 3 of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is to show you a few steps you can take to be safe.
This week we will provide you with some great information on how you can avoid being a victim of cybercrime and where you can go to get more information. Find our Week 3 resources at: Week 03 - Recognising and Combating Cybercrime
An interesting article on ZDNet that discusses how cybercriminals are operating like legitimate businesses, with sophisticated operations. We've already seen this happen with ransomware schemes that operated their own help desk.
This week our security awareness campaign focuses on how to secure yourself at work.
Cyber security IS an issue at Royal Roads. Consider the following:
- RRU rejects, on average, approximately 28,000 SPAM / Malware emails per day, with about 450 making it to our 3rd level filters.
- In the last 24 months RRU has:
- experienced a “Ransomware” attack that encrypted business-critical files on our “O” Drive;
- dealt with TEN separate email account compromise incidents that can be traced to ONE specific incident of an employee responding to a PHISHING email.
- In the last 8 weeks, had 6 staff / faculty members have their email account compromised because they responded to a PHISHING email.
Risky practices or inattention can have devastating consequences. Fortunately, we have the resources to help you understand what the bad guys are doing and how you can be part of the "secure workplace" solution.
This week we will provide you with some great information on how you can be more secure at work. Find our Week 2 resources at: Week 02 - Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity in the Workplace
We've added the National Cyber Security Awareness Month Week 1 resources to the site. As always, you're encouraged to share these materials with family, friends and neighbours.
Please refer to this link for the Week 1 resources:
Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
October's Campus Coffee was hosted by IT-Services and served as the launch for our National Cyber Security Awareness Month activities. CIO Grainne McElroy welcomed RRU staff and faculty and explained why IT-Services has undertaken this initiative. Dr. Steve Grundy, the executive sponsor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month at RRU, followed up Grainne's comments with some facts around IT security issues at RRU. Finally, Mike Hutchison and Don Devenney went through the program for the month, highlighting the events we're hosting.
We will be posting all the resources we distribute as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month on this site so please check back often. Remember as well that you're free to distribute these resources to family and friends, so please help us spread the word!