BE A CURIOUS COUGAR


That's what the University of Houston's IT Security team (UIT) wants you to do during National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Throughout October, UIT Security plans to offer campus-wide activities that draw attention to this important issue.

UH is an official endorser of NCSAM, which in partnership with the National Cyber Security Alliance is sponsored annually by the Department of Homeland Security and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. NCSAM emphasizes security as �Our Shared Responsibility." No one individual, business or government entity is responsible for securing cyberspace. Everyone has a role! That's why the organization teaches that a simple action for everyone to use to stay safer and more secure online is to Stop. Think. Connect.

During October, the UIT Security team encourages UH users to �Be A Curious Cougar� by seeking out information about being safe and secure online. UIT Security will help to satisfy this curiosity by highlighting information security awareness across campus and offering security code words users can use to enter weekly drawings for great UH prizes. One way users can participate and learn to stay ahead of the latest trends in such dastardly acts as phishing and identity theft is by attending workshops emphasizing security best practices such as safe computing, on-line and email safety and social media security. Those attending the workshops also gain access to Cougar Trading Cards.

UIT Security workshops are scheduled from 1-2 p.m. in the Bluebonnet Room (250) at the University Center on the following dates:
 
Tuesday, Oct. 11
Free Music Without Going to Jail! How to Legally Download Copyrighted Materials

Thursday, Oct. 13
Safe Computing and Device Protection using Free tools!

Tuesday, Oct. 18
How Safe Are You REALLY? Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

Thursday, Oct. 20
Exploring the Wild Wild Web and Living to Tell About It � Internet & E-mail Safety Tips

Tuesday, Oct. 25
Can I �Friend� You? Safety Tips for Facebook and Other Social Media Sites

Thursday, Oct. 27
UH Data Classification and Protection, By the Books! New UH IT MAPPs Explained

The UIT Security group also plans presentations for various campus groups (i.e., Student Government Association, Staff Council, etc.) and participation in campus events such as National Night Out, sponsored by UHDPS, which focuses on campus wide physical safety. Any department or organization interested in having UIT Security do a presentation during the month of October should email awareness@uh.edu.

The idea of �Be A Curious Cougar� is incorporated into the new UIT Security blog which is scheduled to debut in October. The blog will offer ongoing security best practices and discussions on security hot topics.

October also signals the launch of the Computer Security Awareness Training for Students (CSATS) and the Human Resources Annual Training for all employees which includes the module Secure our Systems.

Additional information on security resources as well as information on all October NCSAM events can be found on the UIT Security website at www.uh.edu/infotech/security.