Throughout October – Cybersecurity Awareness Month – the University Information Security Office and Ϲ’s School of Cybersecurity are teaming up to share core cybersecurity practices that can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats and help you stay safe in our digital world.

We’re also hosting a series of activities and events including educational sessions, phishing simulations, cybersecurity contests, and community engagement efforts:

Upcoming Cyber Awareness Events

“Show of Force” Day 
Webb University Center (North Mall) 

  • Thursday, October 16, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
    Join cyber security vendors, your University Information Security Team, and School of Cyber Security for games and swag! 

School of Cybersecurity Events 
Monarch Hall, Room 1113, with light refreshments 

  • Monday, October 20, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. 
    Identity Theft Session with Chartway Credit Union 

  • Tuesday, October 28, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. 
    Fraud Prevention with Navy Federal Credit Union 

  • Thursday, October 30, 12:30–1:30 p.m. 
    Alumni Panel Discussion: Cyber Careers 

Week 2: Create and Use Strong Passwords

While creating, storing, and remembering passwords can feel overwhelming, they remain your first line of defense against cybercriminals and data breaches. Fortunately, free, secure, and user-friendly password managers have made it easier than ever to maintain strong passwords. You can work to secure your online presence with just a few simple steps today.

The power of long, unique, and complex passwords  

For maximum security, remember three principles: 

1. Long 

Passwords should be at least 16 characters long. The longer your password, the longer it takes for hackers to crack it using brute force techniques. Right now, an eight-character password takes a few minutes for hacker software to guess by trying every combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. A 16-character password takes a billion years to guess!  

2. Unique 

Each account should have a unique password. If you reuse passwords, don’t feel ashamed! Reusing passwords is a bad habit many of us are guilty of, but you can start changing your habits today! Reusing passwords across multiple accounts can cause huge headaches. If one account is compromised, unique passwords ensure your other accounts remain secure. Small tweaks like adding a number or a special character aren’t enough; each password should be entirely distinct. You can use a password manager to create and store unique passwords for all your accounts! 

3. Complex 

Passwords should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like @, !, or $). Some platforms even allow spaces. The strongest passwords are a long string of random characters, not identifiable words, names, or dates. However, even if your passwords are random, you must ensure they are each at least 16 characters long! 

MFA takes your security beyond the password

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a whole new layer of security to each of your accounts. When you turn on MFA, you use more than a password to log in, which might mean a facial scan, a text message, or a special app. We recommend turning on MFA for every account that permits it.

You can get started today 

Start protecting your digital life by creating long, unique, and complex passwords for your accounts. If changing all your passwords at once seems daunting, go slow. Find a trusted password manager and start changing weak passwords one batch at a time. Becoming a password aficionado is your strongest defense against cybercriminals.