York College Information Technology - Cyber Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an international initiative that helps everyone take simple steps to stay safe online. This year's theme is “Don't Make It Easy for Them” — a reminder that building good cybersecurity habits and practicing them consistently can make life more difficult for cybercriminals.

 

Week 1 - Use Strong, Unique Passwords and a Password Manager

Cyber Awareness Month: Helpful Password Tips:

·         Make passwords long: at least 13 characters (longer is better).

·         Use random strings or passphrases: combine unrelated words or mix letters, numbers, and symbols.

·         Create unique passwords for every account: never reuse the same one.

·         Create a memorable but strong password: Consider using a long passphrase made up of unrelated words that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.

·         Check for reused passwords: Review your important accounts and replace any passwords you have reused. Each account should have its own unique password.

·         Consider using a password manager: It can help generate and securely store strong, unique passwords.

·         Never Share Your Credentials: Never share your password, MFA codes, or any other authentication credentials with anyone, under any circumstances, including fellow students, faculty, staff, supervisors, subordinates, executives, contractors, vendors, or IT personnel. Legitimate support staff will never ask for your password or MFA code. If anyone requests or pressures you to provide your credentials, report the incident immediately to Student Affairs, Human Resources, or your Information Security Office.

 

Password Resources:

·         CUNY Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Password Guidance

·         CUNY Cybersecurity Best Practices

·         How to Create Strong Passwords (and Remember Them!) – NCA

·         What Is a Password Manager? Time to Log in Safer – NCA

·         Secure Our World – CISA

Facts & Figures

Insights from the Oh Behave! Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report: 2021–2025 (National Cybersecurity Alliance & CybSafe):

·         62% of respondents report regularly creating unique passwords, a decline from the previous year.

·         41% of respondents never use a password manager.

 

Cyber Security Training

As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding your digital well-being, please schedule some time to take the CyberSecurity Training Certificate Course. Use your CUNYfirst credentials to log in to Brightspace for this course.

Security Awareness & Reporting

For additional Security Awareness resources, visit Awareness.

 

To report suspicious emails or spam, use the yellow banner address that accompanies all emails originating outside of CUNY at reportspam@PROTECTED. For other online or browsing threats, contact our Service Desk at helpdesk@PROTECTED.

 

Additional references: U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCA).

 

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Kazi Islam, our Information Security Manager.

Greg Vega

Assistant Vice President / Chief Information Officer

York College Information Technology

“Take Control of Your Digital Life”