From The Chancellor

September 29, 2016

From The Chancellor

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. This is important because cyber threats are gaining traction and putting our data and computer-driven infrastructure at risk every day – internationally, nationally and at SIU. 

On campus we have seen an increase in  spam, scams and phishing designed to gain access to personal and business information. The  information technology security team deals with and meets this challenge daily. Many of these threats evolve over time, since the people behind them are clever, adaptable and persistent. For this reason, it is important that everyone on campus is knowledgeable and diligent about our cyber security resources and practices. 

During the month of October, The Office of Information Technology will be sharing information about cyber security resources and weekly workshops targeting non-technical users. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend but need to register in advance.  The first session, to be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 6, in room 139 (on the first floor of Morris Library), is “Cyber Security Basics,” a primer on protecting your information and devices. Subsequent sessions on additional topics will be held Wednesdays Oct. 12, 19 and 26 at 10:30 a.m. in Morris Library. To register, contact Linda Hubbs at (618) 453-4021 or olindahubbs@siu.edu. 

We hope this effort will make everyone on campus more knowledgeable about and comfortable managing the ever-growing array of security issues that we face individually and as an institution.