October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global campaign dedicated to educating individuals, businesses and institutions about the importance of online safety.
In an increasingly connected world, digital tools offer convenience but also introduce risks that could compromise sensitive information. The theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 is “Secure Our World,” emphasizing simple yet effective measures that everyone can take to safeguard themselves from online threats.
As part of the 21st annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Marquette is reaffirming its dedication to cybersecurity awareness. As technology continues to shape our lives, emerging threats require proactive responses to protect the institution, students, faculty and staff from potential risks.
This October, Marquette encourages everyone to take part in Secure Our World by following simple, daily actions to reduce cyber risk:
- Use Strong passwords and a password manager: The first line of defense is a strong, unique password. Avoid common words and consider using a password manager to generate and securely store passwords for each account.
- Turn on multifactor authentication: MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring additional verification, such as a code sent to your phone, after entering your password. This reduces the chance of unauthorized access. As a reminder, IT Services and the TechSquad will never call and ask you to authorize an MFA Push or to provide SMS passcodes. If someone calls and asks for this information, hang up and report it to IT Services.
- Recognize and report phishing: Phishing scams continue to grow in sophistication. Always be cautious of suspicious emails or messages and report them via the Outlook report message function.
- Update software regularly: Software updates often contain critical security patches. Make sure all your devices are running the latest versions of operating systems and applications to protect against vulnerabilities.
About Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Established in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort among government agencies, businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. It aims to promote cybersecurity awareness and provide actionable steps that individuals and businesses can take to improve their online security.
Marquette University is proud to support this important initiative, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance.
