This is the last week of this year’s National Cybersecurity Awareness month, and the theme is Protecting Critical Infrastructure From Cyberthreats.
What is critical infrastructure?
Critical infrastructure is everything in our society that we need to keep our economy running. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there are 16 critical infrastructure sectors that are considered vital to the U.S. – and are increasingly dependent upon the internet.
Critical Infrastructure at Towson University keeps everything functioning for the campus, including networks, phones, transportation and online academic systems.
Vital, non-TU sectors face a great challenge due to the severe impact they can have on our security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof economy if a cyberattack was to happen. This past summer a ransomware attack almost crippled the entire country of Ukraine. Before that, ‘WannaCry’; another ransomware attack made its debut to the world.
How you can help protect Towson University’s critical infrastructure
- Be aware of scam emails and ads while on the TU network. Forward suspicious emails to phishing@towson.edu.
- Turn off your Bluetooth when not in use, and use caution when accepting unexpected connections.
- Make all necessary patches and updates to personally-owned devices. The Office of Technology Services (OTS) remotely deploys these items to TU-owned computers.
- Report any unattended items (flash-drives, laptops) to the appropriate officials.
- Update your NetID password frequently using the Password Guidelines.
- Report any technology issues to OTS through a TechHelp service request.
- Faculty and staff should use Duo Multi-Factor Authentication when logging into protected TU systems.
