Tag Archive for: campus

6 Ways to Improve Cyber Security and Internet Safety on Your Campus

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Starting with these tips below as a framework can help structure your campus’ internet safety plan and flesh it out to meet your institution’s needs.

In today’s hyper-connected world, the propagation and maintenance of internet safety knowledge and protocol is now a vital part of how institutions need to operate. The threat of cyber attacks is becoming increasingly common and can result in devastating, costly breaches that have created irreversible damage and even shut the doors for many institutions over the last few decades.

If you are responsible for the safety of a campus, it is not just physical or natural emergencies you need to deal with. Cyber security and internet safety must be included in your protocols and strategies alongside more traditional security concerns.

The cyber security statistics are grim: 623 million ransomware attacks were reported worldwide in 2021, an increase of more than 100% over the previous year. The numbers of both attacks and damages are increasing. The consequences of a cyber attack can be severe. Depending on the type of attack and how successful it is, ramifications can include:

  • Temporary or complete loss of access to computers, servers, networks, or digitally powered systems (including systems that operate keypad entries, lights, energy usage, and more)
  • Data theft, compromise, alteration, tampering, or destruction
  • Monetary (or other assets) loss due to hacking
  • Sensitive information leaked to the public

…And potentially other harmful results as well.

Though the world of cyber aggression and cyber crimes changes constantly, there are a few basic forms of cyber crime activities that have been predominantly used over the past decade to compromise both individuals and institutions:

Phishing refers to using fake emails to either extract sensitive information (like passwords or identity information) or trick readers into clicking links or downloading and installing software that is actually harmful in nature. When targeting individuals, this might be an email made to look like that person’s bank or branded to mimic an institution with which that person has an account or membership.

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New campus computer safety feature and other safety reminders for start of school – The Brock News

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With the Fall Term in full swing, Brock University’s Campus Security Services (CSS) and Health, Safety and Wellness (HSW) teams are reminding Brock students and employees of important safety information, including a new feature on campus computers.

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, dial 911, call CSS at 905-688-5550 x3200 to speak with a 24-7 on-campus CSS dispatcher or use one of the more than 200 emergency phones located outside, as well as inside buildings, elevators and stairwells. Automated external defibrillators and first-aid stations are also located across campus.

A new feature on all Brock-managed desktop computers and laptops is a panic button. The icon resides in users’ system tray near the date and time. When triple clicked quickly and in succession, it will alert CSS of its activation. CSS will then attempt to follow up with the user via email or office phone.

CSS recommends faculty, staff and students download the Brock Safety mobile app, which offers useful safety-related links, alert notifications about significant incidents on campus, and quick, 24-7 access to on-campus and local mental health support resources.

Mandatory employee health and safety training

HSW is reminding all Brock employees of the requirement to complete one-time mandatory ‘Health and Safety Awareness Training’ and ‘Workplace Violence Training’ on the Sakai learning management system. Employees are required to complete the training once within the duration of their career at Brock. Employees who have not completed the training are urged to do so as soon as possible. Employee training completion records are sent to senior administrative council members twice per year for appropriate follow-up for those who have not yet completed the training. For more information, review the HSW SharePoint site or contact the HSW office at [email protected]

Mask use requirements

Masks are required in all instructional spaces, including classrooms, lecture halls, seminars, teaching labs and other spaces when instruction is taking place. All masks worn must be medical grade. Fabric face coverings, such as buffs, gaiters and bandanas do not satisfy Brock’s masking requirement….

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Endpoint Malware and Ransomware in First Three Quarters of 2021 Topped All of 2020 — Campus Technology

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Research

Report: Endpoint Malware and Ransomware in First Three Quarters of 2021 Topped All of 2020

  • By Kristal Kuykendall
  • 01/19/22

A new Internet Security Report from global network security and intelligence provider WatchGuard Technologies found that endpoint malware and ransomware attacks during the first three quarters of 2021 totaled more than in all of 2020.

The report, highlighting malware trends and network security threats for Q3 2021, is based on analyses by WatchGuard Threat Lab researchers. “While total perimeter malware detection volume decreased from the highs reached in the previous quarter, endpoint malware detections have already surpassed the total volume seen in 2020 (with Q4 2021 data yet to be reported),” WatchGuard said in a news release, also noting that “a significant percentage” of malware continues to arrive over encrypted connections, a trend noted in previous quarters.

“While the total volume of network attacks shrank slightly in Q3, malware per device was up for the first time since the pandemic began,” said Corey Nachreiner, chief security officer at WatchGuard. “Looking at the year so far as a whole, the security environment continues to be challenging. It’s important that organizations go beyond the short-term ups and downs and seasonality of specific metrics, and focus on persistent and concerning trends factoring into their security posture.”

Notable findings from the report include:

Nearly Half of Zero-Day Malware Delivered Via Encrypted Connections: The percentage of malware that arrived via Transport Layer Security jumped from 31.6% to 47%. “A lower percentage of encrypted zero-days are considered advanced, but it is still concerning given that WatchGuard’s data shows that many organizations are not decrypting these connections and therefore have poor visibility into the amount of malware hitting their networks,” the report states.

As Users Update Microsoft Windows and Office, Attackers Are Focusing on Newer Vulnerabilities: “In Q3,…

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U of I police taking proactive steps to prevent gun violence in campus areas | Top Stories

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) – University of Illinois police said gun violence increased off campus during the 2020-21 school year in a report detailing the events of the year. 

U of I Police Chief Alice Cary said there were no gun violence incidents on campus property, but noted police realize the campus area is “not immune to off-campus issues.” She said police are taking proactive steps to prevent violence on campus, such as increased patrols and looking at technological tools, such as mobile security cameras. 

“Our students and community members should notice an increase in visible police patrols in areas of Campustown that may be more likely to be impacted by violent crime,” Cary said. 

There were few students and staff on campus in the 2020-21 year, police said, so calls for service were down by over 37 percent from the 2018-19 year, which was the last time students were on the U of I campus for the full academic year. 

There were only four alcohol-related citations for the entire 2020-21 year, police said in the Year in Review report, and all of them were for illegal transportation of liquor. In three of the four cases, the driver was also taken into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

No underage drinking or possession citations were issued in 2020-21, U of I police said. 

Click here to see the entire year in review report from police. 

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