The University of Utah and its Information Security Office (ISO) today announced its commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM), held annually in October, by signing up as a Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion and joining a growing global effort to promote the awareness of online safety and privacy.

The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals committed to this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme, “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” The program aims to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.

“This last year has seen some dramatic shifts in the technology landscape. While I can’t say what the coming months will bring, I can confidently say the changes in how we use technology are here to stay,” said the university’s Chief Information Security Officer Corey Roach. “Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to step back and reexamine how we are using technology today and to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves, our employers and our loved ones.”

The overarching message of this year’s theme, “If you Connect it, Protect it,” dives into the importance of keeping connected devices safe and secure from outside influence. More than ever before, connected devices have been woven into society as an integral part of how people communicate and access services essential to their well-being. Data collected from these devices can detail highly specific information about a person or business that can be exploited by bad actors for their personal gain. Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities while offering guidance surrounding simple security measures to limit the susceptibility of threats for commonly used devices.

This year, the U’s Information Security Office will focus on a range of weekly topics:

• Creating a cybersecure workspace—at home
• It’s a trap! Why so many phishing attacks succeed.
• Meet the computer forensics experts who investigate the U’s cybersecurity incidents
• What to do when an abuser uses technology against you

The Information Security Office also will offer additional tips to stay safe online via its Cybersecurity Awareness Month website and Twitter account @uofu_iso.

If everyone does their part—implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees—our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.

Now in its 17th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online. The University of Utah and its Information Security Office is proud to support this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“Cybersecurity is important to the success of all businesses and organizations. NCSA is proud to have such a strong and active community helping to encourage proactive behavior and prioritize cybersecurity in their organizations,” NCSA Executive Director Kelvin Coleman said.

For more information about the University of Utah Information Security Office’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign, click here. You can also follow the Information Security Office on Twitter at @uofu_iso.

For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020 and how to participate in a wide variety of activities, click here. You can also follow and use the official hashtag #BeCyberSmart on social media throughout the month.

About the U’s Information Security Office

The Information Security Office (ISO) strives for daily operational excellence to ensure the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the University of Utah information technology systems and data through the exploitation of appropriate security resources and best practices. The ISO team works in partnership with the university, as well as external entities, to help ensure that the University of Utah is exposed only to acceptable risks within its educational, research, patient care and community outreach missions. For more information, click here.

About Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyberincident. Since the presidential proclamation establishing Cybersecurity Awareness Month in 2004, the initiative has been formally recognized by Congress, federal, state and local governments and leaders from industry and academia. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, click here.

About the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)

NCSA is the nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry, and civil society. NCSA’s primary partners are the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and NCSA’s Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AIG; American Express; Bank of America; Cofense; Comcast Corp.; Eli Lilly and Co.; ESET North America; Facebook; Intel Corp.; Lenovo; LogMeIn; Marriott International; Mastercard; MediaPro; Microsoft Corp.; Mimecast; KnowBe4; NortonLifeLock; Proofpoint; Raytheon; Trend Micro Inc.; Uber: U.S. Bank; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA’s core efforts include Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT., the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from the Department of Homeland Security; and CyberSecure My Business, which offers webinars, web resources, and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information about NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org.