With so many cyber threats lurking in the shadows of the digital world, cybersecurity can be a scary — and overwhelming — topic. NC State’s best defense against both cyberattacks and apprehension is awareness, and that awareness starts with employees.

All university employees, including student employees, are required to complete the annual Data Security Training before Wednesday, Jan. 31. The online training module covers cybersecurity best practices to help identify possible attacks and protect NC State and personal data.

“Because cybersecurity awareness is critical to safeguarding NC State, the annual Data Security Training is more than just a task for employees to check off their to-do list,” said Damon Armour, director of Information Security, Risk and Assurance in the Office of Information Technology. “In addition to highlighting key cybersecurity issues, the training provides actionable steps for individuals to follow every day.”

To date, approximately 12% of the university’s more than 24,000 employees have completed the training.

What employees should know:

• All employees have been pre-registered and should have received an email from REPORTER with instructions on how to access the Data Security Training.
• The 30-minute training module can be watched with Spanish or French subtitles.
• The module may be completed in multiple sessions but must be watched in its entirety and all knowledge questions must be answered.
• Employees will receive a Certificate of Completion upon successfully reviewing the material. Completion will also be recorded in REPORTER as part of the required training portfolio. 
• Email reminders will be sent to the employee and their supervisor until the training module has been completed.

What campus supervisors should know:

• Campus supervisors must verify that their employees, including unpaid appointments, have completed the training module by Jan. 31. See Reviewing Compliance Warnings for detailed instructions on viewing training records in REPORTER.
• College and division Human Resources offices will enter a separation action within 30 days for any unpaid appointments who do not complete this training by the deadline. A non-compliance report will be provided to assist with this effort. A separation action means that the unpaid appointment holder will lose access to university resources, including enterprise business applications, records, NC State Google Workspace email, storage and tools.
• Campus supervisors will be copied on reminders for their employees who have not completed the training.

If you have questions about the Data Security Training, contact the NC State Help Desk via the NC State IT Service Portal or call 919.515.4357 (HELP).