Celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Us!
Illustration: Danielle Ferrell/UNCW & Carl/stock.adobe.com
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we have an exciting lineup of events and activities for faculty, staff and students. Explore what we have planned and join us in raising awareness and taking steps to safeguard yourself from cyber threats. Check back weekly for new updates and opportunities to participate!
All Month: New Training for Faculty & Staff!
We are excited to announce our custom Cybersecurity Awareness Training in Percipio, developed by our very own IT Security team. This course is designed to be practical and directly relevant to your daily work. It covers four key areas: who we are and how to contact us, why cybercriminals target UNCW employees and their devices, how to recognize potential threats and what to expect if you experience a cyber incident at work.
Compete for a Sweet Reward
A little friendly competition can make cybersecurity training even more fun! At the end of the month, the department with the highest training completion rate will receive a delicious treat from Insomnia Cookies. Encourage your colleagues to complete their training and help your department take the win!
Take the Faculty & Staff Training
All Month: Score Points for UNCW in the Cyber Bowl!
Cyber Bowl is back, and UNCW is ready for round two! After finishing fifth last year with 860 participants, we’re aiming even higher this year. From Oct. 1 to 31, campuses across the state will compete to see who is the most cyber-savvy. Students, faculty and staff can earn points for UNCW simply by completing the Cyber Bowl quiz.
Who’s Competing & How to Play
UNCW will face off against Appalachian State, Duke, East Carolina, Elizabeth City State, NC State, NC A&T, UNC Chapel Hill, Western Carolina and Winston-Salem State in this year’s Cyber Bowl.
Starting Oct. 1, visit uncw.edu/cyberbowl to take the quiz anytime throughout the month. The questions will cover passwords, phishing, malware and online privacy.
Why Play:
Cyber Bowl is all about trying your best, learning and teamwork. Your participation is what matters most, because every person who completes the quiz earns points for our team. Explore the questions and enjoy learning new cybersecurity skills along the way.
At the end of the month, two universities will take the win and ultimate bragging rights: one with the highest participation percentage and one with the most players! Plus, every player who completes their quiz will have opportunities to earn prizes throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month! We'll share more details on how to participate soon.
So Seahawks, take the Cyber Bowl quiz starting Oct. 1 and help us climb the leaderboard!
Join the Cyber Bowl Challenge!
All Month: Students, Elevate Your Cybersecurity Knowledge
Our custom Cybersecurity Awareness Training in Canvas is designed specifically for students! This comprehensive course covers essential topics such as phishing, online payments, ransomware, social media safety, and best practices. It’s your complete guide to staying secure online, with additional resources to help you build strong cybersecurity habits. Start learning today and stay ahead of digital threats!
Students: Boost Your Cyber Skills in Canvas
All Month: Test Your Skills & Grab Some Swag!
Join in on Cybersecurity Awareness Month by completing the Cyber Bowl and/or Cybersecurity Awareness Training, then stop by an IT Security table at select locations across campus to pick up a special giveaway! Stay tuned for more details on where to find us and how to participate.
All Month: Make the Switch to Microsoft Authenticator
Faculty and staff can make the switch to Microsoft Authenticator and take advantage of a faster, more convenient way to sign in to campus services. Use features such as Face ID, Touch ID, or your device PIN for a simpler sign-in experience, while helping move UNCW closer to a passwordless future and a 365-day password.
All Month: Keep Spotting & Reporting Phishing
You’ve been doing an outstanding job identifying and reporting phishing attempts, whether real threats or part of our faculty and staff training exercises. Your vigilance is crucial, as phishing remains a primary method attackers use to compromise security. It can appear in emails, texts, phone calls, social media and other forms of communication. Your continued efforts make a significant impact and help keep our Seahawk community secure. Keep up the great work, Seahawks!
Learn How to Spot & Report Suspicious Emails
All Month: Stay Updated with Weekly Security Tips on Instagram!
Follow us on Instagram for essential cybersecurity insights throughout the month. We'll dive into key topics such as artificial intelligence, phishing, two-factor authentication, and more. Don't miss our essential tips to strengthen your cybersecurity knowledge!
About Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Every October, UNCW celebrates National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Founded in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the world’s foremost initiative promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices. Businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities all celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month as part of keeping our communities cyber safe.
If you have any questions, please CHAT with TAC explore the myTAC portal or visit the Information Techology Services (ITS) site for additional resources.