From smartphones to laptops and tablets, our lives are linked through a series of cyber connections, but in the age of digital technology the risk of an attack on our personal information is high.
The George Washington University Division of Information Technology (IT) will host a series of events in observance of National Cyber Security Awareness Month to better educate the GW community about tools of cyber security and methods of protection against cyber threats.
“The Division of IT is committed to helping keep the GW community safe, secure and protected from information security threats, “ said Chief Information Officer David Steinour. “We are excited to observe National Cyber Security Awareness Month with a series of presentations and conversations designed to promote security awareness and empower GW students, faculty and staff to make informed technology decisions.”
The series will begin on Oct. 10 with an opening keynote by Dennis Devlin, the former assistant vice president of IT security and compliance services at GW, and includes seminars on hacking trends, strong passwords and a conversation with Student Association President Julia Susuni and Division of IT Senior Risk and Compliance Analyst Noor Aarohi on how to stay cyber secure .
Events are free and open to the university community. Students, faculty and staff should RSVP for each session as space is limited.
The Division of IT, the first stop for technology assistance throughout the university community, began observing National Cyber Security Awareness Month in 2011.
In 2012, the university launched the Cybersecurity Initiative, a multidisciplinary approach to creating research-based solutions to the growing threat of cyber attacks led by former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
The effort includes panel discussions, research institutes and centers, graduate education programs and scholarship programs across campus.
President Barack Obama issued a proclamation to confirm the U.S. commitment to cyber security last year and 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the observance, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center.