Computer Security Awareness Month 2011

In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the Department of Computer Science will host the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's “Stop. Think. Connect.” campaign forum on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Nelson Hall Auditorium. (See Program Schedule)

The purpose of the campaign is to increase the understanding of cyber threats and to empower the American public to be safer and more secure online. Carlos Kizzee, director of Strategic Initiatives for the Department of Homeland Security's Critical Infrastructure Cyber Protection and Awareness Branch within the National Cyber Security Division, will deliver the keynote address during the forum. Joining Coleman will be NC State professor Dr. Annie Antón, an internationally recognized expert on privacy policy in software systems; and NC State computer engineering student, Dan Eckert who is the chief technology officer (CTO) of DiscoverLit, an e-publishing start-up company.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is an annual effort organized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance to "increase the awareness and prevention of online security problems."

Also during National Cyber Security Awareness Month, there will be several Lunch and Learn workshops covering phishing, security updates, data protection, mobile communication device security, and passwords. The first of these, “Annual State of Security,” will be presented by Tim Gurganus of OIT Security and Compliance on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at noon in Room 3118 of Talley Student Center. All events are free and open to the general public. For tips to help you be more safe and secure online, visit the "Stop. Think. Connect." campaign website. For more details on upcoming cyber security presentations, see the information provided below.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month Presentations

Annual State of Computer Security 2011
10/4/2011   12 p.m.   Talley Student Center   Room 3118

Presenter: Tim Gurganus - OIT Security and Compliance
An introspective look at the state of computer security on campus, this presentation will cover the major computer security incidents of the past year, the university’s capabilities for dealing with them and the challenges that remain to build a secure computing environment for teaching, applying knowledge and conducting research. Come learn about the viruses that are active on campus, how passwords are phished, what servers are most often compromised, and how you might be sending spam and leaking data. Find out what you should or should not do to protect your computer and data on today’s e-campus.

If unable to attend, slides from this presentation are now available.

Computer Security for Real People
10/18/2011   12 p.m.   Talley Student Center   Room 4106 - Green Room

Presenter: Tim Gurganus - OIT Security and Compliance
Come learn about some free security tools you can use to keep your PC from being the easiest one to steal. Topics for this presentation include laptop tracking software, privacy and social networks, modern malware, trojans and phishing.

If unable to attend, slides from this presentation are now available.

Securing Your Mobile Device 
10/28/2011   12 p.m.   Talley Student Center   Room 4111 - Blue Room

Presenter: Tim Gurganus - OIT Security and Compliance
Mobile devices provide you with on-the-go access to your email, various documents and numerous applications! However, these activities have their own set of security risks including online data theft and malware. This presentation will show you how to make your mobile device and thus, your activities more secure by using device passwords, tracking software, encrypting devices, anti-malware software and more!

If unable to attend, slides from this presentation are now available.