Improving cyber-safety is all about establishing a routine
No matter where you work, or your job title, part of your responsibility is ensuring online safety and protecting sensitive data. Clarkson expects it of all faculty, staff, and students.
Take advantage of training the university provides like the InfoSec 101 & 102 courses in Moodle and follow its guidance. That’s an easy win for your performance assessment and will improve the safety of you and your coworkers.
Remember … Stop. Think. Connect.
So what’s the easiest way to improve your cyber security? Routine! Establishing a routine is by far the simplest way to ensure your online safety at work and home. Here are some helpful tips.
- Identify: Know what your most valuable data is – especially personal data
- Think of all the places your data might be: your laptop, your phone, email accounts, cloud storage such as Google Drive, One Drive, and Drop Box
- Protect: Take steps to protect your most valuable data from loss or theft
- Use Two Factor Authentication on every account that supports it
- Keep backups of your important data in multiple locations
- Encrypt any portable device that supports it (most do!)
- “When in doubt, throw it out!” If an email looks suspicious, don’t click any links in it and delete the message
- Detect: Keep a close eye out for signs of a compromise
- Email from your bank asking to confirm a transaction you didn’t ask for
- Strange bounce-back or email replies to messages you didn’t send
- Account notifications indicating a login from a place or device you don’t recognize
- Respond: Notify the account provider immediately if you think your account might be compromised or has suspicious activity
- For Clarkson accounts, go to the IT Helpdesk
- For non-Clarkson accounts, use the provider support channels and always go directly to their webpages by typing in the address – don’t use the link in an email.
- Recover: Regain control of your accounts
- Change passwords, update security passphrases and enable additional security features like Two Factor Authentication where available
- Restore any data that has been lost from backups (You made backups, right?)
- Remain vigilant going forward to help prevent future compromises
Protecting your personal information today is an ongoing effort that requires consistent awareness and diligence. This effort isn’t just for the other guy, not just for big corporations – it all starts with YOU.
In keeping with Clarkson’s Values of Caring, Integrity, and Diligence, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) has registered as a Champion for National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October, OIT will be placing an increased emphasis on helping members of the Clarkson community protect their data and identities from this ever-present threat. Watch for additional communications from OIT throughout the month. As always, you can review the OIT Knowledgebase articles related to Security or if you have any questions or concerns regarding your online safety, please contact the IT HelpDesk at 315-268-4357 or helpdesk@clarkson.edu
