Security Awareness

The Office of Information Security and Privacy (OISP) in the Office of Technology Services (OTS) provides Cybersecurity Awareness resources for Towson University.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

2024 Topic Spotlight
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaboration between government and private industry to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime. Every October, TU's Office of Information Security and Privacy joins the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance to support this effort. 

Annual Security Awareness Training 
TU full-time faculty and staff can expect their annual required security awareness training to be delivered to their TU inbox. Stay tuned for more info.

Past TU Cybersecurity events

Highlights include: 

  • Virtual Cybersecurity Events: webinars, followed by live Q&A sessions with TU's Security Operations Team. Tips to help protect your identity (PDF), How to Identify and Protect Yourself from Online Scams (PDF).
  • Presenter Debora Plunkett, former Director on the National Security Council at The White House and former Director of Information Assurance, National Security Agency and TU Board of Visitors member talked about how cybersecurity impacts everyone’s day-to-day activities.
  • Speaker Matt Olney, Manager at Cisco Talos, gave a special presentation on the how individuals and small organizations can have a global impact on security.

  • Speaker Daniel Gray, FBI Supervisory Special Agent: The Cyber Security Insider Threat-recognizing and combating cybercrime.

  • Presenter James Crumpler '16, NSA employee performed computer security demonstrations.

  • TU Professor Michael O’Leary, Ph.D. & the TU Computer Science students performed a live hack.

  • TU's Director of Information Security, Mike Kaiser, hosted a NY Times Talk.

Security Awareness Resources

Password Security

Cybercriminals have developed sophisticated programs to guess your passwords. To protect yourself, it is important to create a strong password that cannot be easily hacked. Refer to TU's password guidelines when creating a Towson University NetID or other online password.

Phishing

Learn how to recognize phishing, which is a cybercrime targeting your email. Forward suspicious emails received in your Towson University email inbox to . 

Security Checks

Use these resources and tips from the National Cybersecurity Alliance to better secure your online accounts and digital devices and keep your data safe.

Online meeting security

Follow the Webex (PDF) and Zoom (PDF) security guidelines, which include including specifics for hosting meetings, and settings to consider before, when scheduling, and during meetings.

Confidential/sensitive online meetings:

  • Follow the above security guidelines. 
  • Be extra diligent about protecting TU confidential data.
  • Understand TU's definition and classifications of confidential data.  
  • Ensure the meeting is password protected, which requires participants to enter a password to join.
  • Confirm meeting topics or calendar invites do not include any sensitive information.
  • Make sure sensitive meetings are not recorded. Instructional meetings may be recorded with prior consent.