Enabling two-factor or multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential in today’s online world. Data breaches happen every day. These breaches often include account passwords. But MFA keeps your accounts and data safe even if your password is compromised.
MFA requires not just a password but an additional item, like a code sent to your phone by text message, a time-based one-time password (TOTP) generated by an authenticator app, or a physical security token. MFA makes it way tougher for hackers to break in.
Don’t limit MFA to just school or work. Activate it for your personal accounts, especially for your bank, shopping, email, and social media profiles. If there’s an option for MFA, turn it on.
When you have MFA turned on for your accounts, never approve an authentication request that you did not initiate or share an authentication code with someone especially a stranger posing as customer support by phone, text, or chat.
Want to go deeper on this topic?
New Cybersecurity Training
New web-based cybersecurity training for faculty, staff, and students has been published and is available at the links below. This training is an annual requirement from our insurer and federal regulation for ALL faculty and staff.
All employees must complete this training by November 30.
Employees who complete this training by the deadline will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Bon Appetit gift card. If you complete the training by October 31 you will have two chances to win.
Feel free to work as a team and in other ways encourage your colleagues to meet this important requirement. The course covers a variety of current cybersecurity issues. There are also a variety of elective topics — some are presented in a fun, gamified format. Students are welcome to check it out, too.
Access the employee training here.
Access electives for students and employees here.
Save the Date for the Virtual Town Hall
Cybersecurity Town Hall: The Cyber Way
Noon, Monday, October 30, 2023.
A regular feature of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a casual informational and Q&A session. I’ll describe the current state of the higher education cyberthreat and the steps you can take to keep the campus and your own digital life secure. There will be ample time for Q&A.
Cybersecurity is everyone’s job. Be safe out there and, if you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me (kgeorge) or the Helpdesk.