Security Awareness
The Office of Information Security and Privacy (OISP) in the Office of Technology Services (OTS) provides Cybersecurity Awareness resources for Towson University.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
2024 Topic Spotlight
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about cybersecurity. Over time, it has become a
joint effort between the government and industry to educate people about cybersecurity,
encourage safe online practices, and discuss cyberthreats both nationally and globally.
These are the supported themes and how you can protect yourself now and throughout the year:
- Enable multi-factor authentication - if you don't use Duo MFA for your TU account yet, you can opt in now! Learn about MFA and using it on your personal accounts in this National Cybersecurity Alliance article.
- Use a strong passwords or a password manager - see TU password guidelines or NCA guidance on strong passwords and password managers.
- Update software - here's how it's done at TU. Learn more about updating software on personal devices in this NCA article.
- Recognize and report phishing - think before you click! Forward suspicious email in your TU account to phishing AT_TOWSON, then delete. See the NCA article for tips on handling phishing email in a personal account.
Past TU Cybersecurity events
Highlights include:
- Virtual Cybersecurity Events: webinars, followed by live Q&A sessions with TU's Security Operations Team. Tips to help protect your identity (PDF), How to Identify and Protect Yourself from Online Scams (PDF).
- Presenter Debora Plunkett, former Director on the National Security Council at The White House and former Director of Information Assurance, National Security Agency and TU Board of Visitors member talked about how cybersecurity impacts everyone’s day-to-day activities.
- Speaker Matt Olney, Manager at Cisco Talos, gave a special presentation on the how individuals and small organizations can have a global impact on security.
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Speaker Daniel Gray, FBI Supervisory Special Agent: The Cyber Security Insider Threat-recognizing and combating cybercrime.
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Presenter James Crumpler '16, NSA employee performed computer security demonstrations.
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TU Professor Michael O’Leary, Ph.D. & the TU Computer Science students performed a live hack.
- TU's Director of Information Security, Mike Kaiser, hosted a NY Times Talk.
Security Awareness Resources
Password Security
Cybercriminals have developed sophisticated programs to guess your passwords. To protect yourself, it is important to create a strong password that cannot be easily hacked. Refer to TU's password guidelines when creating a Towson University NetID or other online password.
Phishing
Learn how to recognize phishing, which is a cybercrime targeting your email. Forward suspicious emails received in your Towson University email inbox to phishing AT_TOWSON.
Security Checks
Use these resources and tips from the National Cybersecurity Alliance to better secure your online accounts and digital devices and keep your data safe.
Online meeting security
Follow the Webex (PDF) and Zoom (PDF) security guidelines, which include including specifics for hosting meetings, and settings to consider before, when scheduling, and during meetings.
Confidential/sensitive online meetings:
- Follow the above security guidelines.
- Be extra diligent about protecting TU confidential data.
- Understand TU's definition and classifications of confidential data.
- Ensure the meeting is password protected, which requires participants to enter a password to join.
- Confirm meeting topics or calendar invites do not include any sensitive information.
- Make sure sensitive meetings are not recorded. Instructional meetings may be recorded with prior consent.