The Seton Hall community will be celebrating National Cybersecurity Awareness Month with an array of activities and initiatives put together by the SHU Information Technology Department.
Throughout October, students and staff will have opportunities to learn more about protecting themselves against hackers and cybercrimes.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month was created by the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that people are aware of the ways to protect themselves when using technology. The initiatives and activities that the SHU IT department has set up will help students learn how to better protect themselves when using their computers by giving resources and tips.
“With the increase of smart and connected devices around us, cybercrime is continually on the rise,” Milan Stanic, director of IT communications, said. “We hope our community will take an active role in securing their information by learning more about strong passwords, managing mobile devices, avoiding threats, developing safe habits and using the right tools.”
In October, all members of the Seton Hall community can expect to see emails from IT with tips regarding cybersecurity. Stanic said these tips will help staff and students learn to protect themselves against “emails, malware, cyberbullying, identity theft and phishing.”
Seton Hall students can expect to see emails from IT this month with tips regarding cybersecurity.
Cristina Hill, a senior IT finance major, also noted the importance of educating students on these issues.
“It’s important because the cyber world is constantly changing and evolving,” Hill said. “People need to stay up to date on these issues and how to protect themselves online.”
Also, all Seton Hall faculty members are now part of a “two-factor authentication” program using Duo Security. Logging in using two pieces of authentication serves as a “second layer of security to PirateNet.” It helps to further protect the accounts of University staff by making it harder for their accounts to be hacked even if their passwords are compromised.
Along with the two-factor authentication, IT is “considering reducing the password expiration time period for employees.” However, students’ current 120- day password expiration time period is not subject to change.
At the end of the month, the IT department plans to celebrate both Halloween and the end of the cybersecurity month. On Oct. 31, students can stop by the Space154 on the first floor of the Walsh Library for snacks and Halloween activities. The event will run from 12-4 p.m.
Students can find snacks like Goldfish and Swedish Fish to go along with the theme of protecting oneself from phishing and other cybercrimes. Space154 will also offer games and movies that will help students get into the Halloween spirit.
Tori Reich, a freshman education major, noted how events like these are an interesting and engaging way to make students more aware of how to protect themselves.
The department plans to work hard throughout the entire year to inform people on how to protect themselves from scams, hackers and cybercrimes.
“I think it’s good they’re doing this,” Reich said. “It’s great that students are going to be aware and in tune with how to protect themselves against cybercrimes.”
Genevieve Krupcheck can be reached at genevieve.krupcheck@ student.shu.edu.
