Now in its 15th year, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) — observed every October — was created to help everyone have the resources to stay safe and secure online. This year’s NCSAM theme is Our Shared Responsibility.
We lead internet-connected, digital lives. From our desks and homes to on-the-go, we work, learn and play online. Even when we are not directly connected to the internet, our critical infrastructure — the vast, worldwide connection of computers, data, and websites supporting our everyday lives through financial transactions, transportation systems, healthcare records, emergency response systems, personal communications and more — impacts everyone. No individual, business or government entity is solely responsible for securing the internet. Everyone has a role in securing their part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks they use. Individual actions have a collective impact and when we use the internet safely, we make it more secure for everyone. If each of us does our part — implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating young people, or training employees — we will be a digital society safer and more resistant from attacks and more resilient if an attack occurs.
Throughout the month, we’ll provide some videos and other resources to get you thinking about what you can do to protect yourself and the university online.
An excellent first step in protecting your privacy is selecting strong passwords.
- Passwords should be long and strong, instead of short and sweet, with a combination of lower/uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. With all of these requirements, how do you choose a strong password that’s easy to remember? Check out this quick video for some tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhlXtBNNuKs
- Just as important as choosing a strong password is using unique passwords for EVERY site you visit. That way, even if a site is compromised, that password cannot be used to access your bank, credit cards, or social media sites.
- For more tips and tricks in choosing and remembering good passwords, including a secure way (hint: it’s not a post-it note!) to store them, check out our Password Tips on our how-to: https://howto.adams.edu/Password_Tips
- IMPORTANT: It is a violation of ASU policy to share your password with anyone. This includes logging in to a computer with your ASU account and letting someone else to use your workstation. All employees, including work studies, should use their own account.
Computing Services is here to help you with cybersecurity and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us at (719) 587-7741, computingservices@adams.edu, or stop by our offices in the Computing Services building.
Thanks!
ASU Computing Services
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