IT Services

Ph: (506) 452-0635
Email: Helpdesk@stu.ca
James Dunn Hall, Room 207

Cyber Security Awareness Month

Held every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that everyone has the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.

NCSAM 2019 emphasizes personal accountability and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace. This year’s overarching message – Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT. – will focus on key areas including citizen privacy, consumer devices, and e-commerce security.

Multi-factor Authentication Your Password is your Key Stay Current
Double your login protection. Enable MFA to ensure that the only person who has access to your account is you. Use it for email, banking, social media, and any other service that requires logging in. According to expert guidance, you should consider using the longest password or passphrase permissible.  Don’t reuse your STU password.  Use a Password Manager, when available. Keep your security software, web browser and operating system updated to the latest version available.
Be hard to get Be App Aware Beware “Free” Wi-Fi
Cyber criminals use phishing tactics, hoping to fool their victims. If you’re unsure who an email is from or if the email looks “phishy,” do not respond and do not click on any links or attachments in that email.  Contact ITS if in doubt. Check your app permissions and use the “rule of least privilege possible”.  Delete what you don’t need.  Just say “no” to privilege requests that don’t make sense.  Only download apps from trusted vendors and sources. Avoid sensitive activities (e.g., banking) that require passwords or credit cards.  Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi.   Only use sites that begin with “https://” when online shopping or banking.
Travel Safer #1 – Back up Travel Safer #2 – Lock It Travel Safer #3 – Know Who
Back up your mobile device data to another device or cloud service in case your device is compromised lost or stolen. Lock your device when you are not using it. Even if you only step away for a few minutes, that is enough time for someone to steal or misuse your information. Devices may automatically seek and connect to available Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices.  Disable these features so that you actively choose when to connect to a safe network.
Protect everyone’s PII We are Human Speak Out
Business information often includes a mix of personal and proprietary data including employee personally identifiable information (PII).  Do not share PII, without permission, or by insecure means. Technology has its limits.  As “smart” technology evolves, it is important to remember that security measures only work if we all use them correctly. If you believe that you have become a victim of cybercrime, immediately notify STU ITS to. Keep and record all evidence of the incident and its suspected source.

STU and Beauceron Security

STU has adopted Beauceron as part of our overall cybersecurity initiative.  Beauceron makes available to us an online cybersecurity tool that provides cybersecurity awareness training through surveys, education and simulations.  Beauceron provides a personal score to help each of us track and increase our awareness of the cyber risks that exist today. 

With the majority of all data breaches starting from malicious phishing emails, STU adopted Beauceron to give all Faculty and Staff the opportunity to increase their cybersecurity awareness.  The courses are short and allow you to familiarize yourself with how phishing and other cyber attacks are being done today. 

Completing Beauceron training will help you reduce your chances of being phished and help you protect yourself and out students from malicious actors.  If you are a Faculty or Staff member and you wish to take part in the training, please contact ITS at helpdesk@stu.ca or call 452-0635.to get access to your Cybersecurity Awareness Training today!