EDUCAUSE supports security awareness in higher education with the Year-Round Campus Security Awareness Campaign, a framework that assists information security professionals and IT communicators with their security awareness plans. The campaign includes 12 EDUCAUSE Review Security Matters column blog posts on monthly topics that include ready-made web and social media content. Developed by higher ed security awareness professionals, the campaign materials make it easier to keep a steady stream of security best practices prominent in campus communications.
How to Use the Campaign Materials
You can create a steady stream of privacy and security awareness information for students, faculty, and staff using the ready-made content provided. Adapt the content to make it work with your current plans and campus needs — promote each suggested topic monthly or use a 90-day awareness plan to promote a group of topics quarterly.
Each blog is written with end users in mind, so you can quickly and easily adapt content for your campus awareness program, whether it's using the pre-written content for a blog, newsletter, or website, or sharing suggested resources as tweets or Facebook posts. Additional resources, including posters, videos, and external references, are also provided.
2018 Security Awareness Blog Posts
- January 2018: Privacy Is Our Shared Responsibility
- February 2018: Good Cybercitizens Make the Internet a Safer and Better Place
- March 2018: How to Protect Your Data and Devices While Traveling with Tech
- April 2018: Spring Cleaning — Be Green, Not Blue
- May 2018: Use Strong Passwords and Passphrases to Lock Down Your Login!
- June 2018: Beef Up Your Physical Security
- July 2018: Secure Remote Access — Easy as A, B, C
- August 2018: Are You Ready for Ransomware?
- September 2018: Do You Have a Personal Backup Plan?
- October 2018: Don't Let a Phishing Scam Reel You In
- November 2018: Shop Safe Online, Even on Black Friday!
- December 2018: Securing New Devices in an IoT World
Complementary Resources
The campaign materials provide plenty of content on a variety of topics. However, if you're looking for additional resources or inspiration as you plan for National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) or your annual security awareness campaign, consider these additional resources developed by HEISC volunteers.
- The NCSAM Toolkit includes an eight-question planning worksheet to help you decide what resources and materials might be required for your awareness campaign.
- If you plan to create new materials, visit our Cybersecurity Awareness Resource Library for inspiration.
- Also check out the Information Security Awareness Video and Poster Contest Winners for educational videos and posters — developed by college students, for college students.
- Thinking about hosting your own contest? We have a DIY Video and Poster Security Awareness Contest toolkit.
- How do you break through the noise? Learn how Texas A&M University is engaging students with an annual campaign featuring online cybersecurity games that entice more than 10,000 campus members to participate.
- Need to create a campaign with limited resources? Drake University shares their plan for a phishing education campaign using a small budget.
Campus Security Awareness Campaign 2018
This post is part of a larger campaign designed to support security professionals and IT communicators as they develop or enhance their security awareness plans. View all 12 monthly blog posts with ready-made content by visiting our security awareness resource page.
Valerie M. Vogel is senior manager of the Cybersecurity Program for EDUCAUSE.
© 2017 Valerie M. Vogel. This EDUCAUSE Review blog is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.