ITS Encourages the Baylor Community to Stay Safe Online with Film-Driven Campaign

Baylor University’s annual BearAware cybersecurity campaign during October’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds students, faculty, and staff to make smart and safe choices online. This year’s film-driven public awareness campaign includes mandatory cybersecurity training for all faculty and staff and a series of events presented by Baylor’s Cybersecurity Club.

“BaylorITS collaborates with University Compliance and Risk Services, the Baylor Department of Public Safety, and Baylor’s Office of General Counsel to strengthen security around campus information resources and systems,” said Jon Allen, Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Baylor University. “However, these measures can only be effective if Baylor students, faculty, and staff make cybersecurity best practices a daily habit to guard their personal information and the university’s information resources.”

In partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, Baylor recognizes that “life, uh, finds a way” and encourages everyone to secure our world and stay safe online by observing the following cybersecurity best practices:

• Beware of Phishing Messages:
  “Don’t volunteer as tribute” by not clicking links in email messages and report “phishy” messages to abuse@baylor.edu.
• Create Strong Passwords
  Include 12-16 characters with a combination of numbers, letters, symbols and spaces to be most secure so that “your password is Kenough!”
• Always Use Multi-Factor Authentication
  Baylor uses Duo Mobile, but “anyone can use Multi-Factor Authentication!” Use a Multi-Factor Authentication whenever possible and don’t respond to mysterious DUO or other two-factor notifications.
• Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
  Always run the latest operating system and application version available on your devices because “updates always find a way.”
• Backup Your Most Important Files
  “You’re gonna need a bigger storage service” so use a cloud-based platform to back up your important files.
• Use Virtual Private Networking Whenever Possible
  Use a VPN while on public WiFi networks because “Donkey, two words: Use. Caution.”
• Use AI-based Tools Responsibly
  Use AI-based platforms and generative AI tools responsibly, asking yourself: “Is AI born wicked, or does it have wickedness thrust upon it?”
• Beware of Mis/Disinformation
  “Here’s to the fools who believe everything online” — verify messages and images before making decisions or taking action.

Since 2006, Baylor has participated in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and is a perennial cybersecurity champion. To see and share publicity resources from this year’s movie-inspired BearAware campaign, see past BearAware efforts, and review important cybersecurity tips, visit its.web.baylor.edu/bearaware. To learn more about this year’s national cybersecurity awareness campaign, visit cisa.gov or staysafeonline.org.

Mandatory Faculty/Staff Training

On October 7, faculty and staff will be alerted to complete Baylor’s annual cybersecurity training that is required as part of the university’s cybersecurity insurance. This year’s training will once again begin with a quiz that can exempt one or more of the required SANS Institute training modules. Cybersecurity training must be completed by October 24 to avoid losing access to the Baylor network.

School of Engineering and Computer Science Cyber Events

Throughout National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Baylor’s Cybersecurity Club will host a series of cybersecurity events:

• October 6: CyberMonth Kickoff to announce competition in Cashion C102 at 5:00 p.m.
• October 16: Guest Speakers (Baylor Faculty Members) in Cashion C312 at 5:00 p.m.
• October 23: Workshop for competition tools/techniques in Cashion C317 at 5:00 p.m.
• October 27-30: HackWeek (Four-day competition with three sub-events)
  • October 27: Kick-Off Ceremony with Biju Mathew, Director of Customer Logistics Security at Amazon, for “How to Get a Job in InfoSec” at 5:00 p.m. (Place TBD)
  • October 29: Sponsorship Speaker Kevin Smith, Senior Cyber Security Manager at Textron, for “Inside Cybersecurity Architecture” in Draper 345 at 5:00 p.m.
  • October 30: Closing Ceremony to announce winners at 5:00 p.m. (Place TBD)

Final times, locations, and additional information about each of these will be posted at its.web.baylor.edu/bearaware.

For more information about Baylor’s BearAware cybersecurity awareness initiative, cybersecurity training, or other information technology security concerns, visit Baylor’s BearAware site, HelpDesk+ on the main floor of Moody Memorial Library, or call (254) 710-4357.