If you haven’t been phished, it’s only a matter of time. Phishing attacks are one of the primary cyber security threats on campus. Organized by foreign governments, crime rings or other nefarious actors, these around-the-clock attacks target intellectual property, research, sensitive data and personal information for financial gain.

Universities like NC State are seen as prime targets because of their perceived open network access that allows the exchange of research and ideas with other institutions of higher education and various partners and industries.

While NC State has employed technology and procedures to help protect you against these never-ending attacks, you remain its greatest line of defense.

During National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, the Office of Information Technology, along with the Department of Computer Science, the ePartners Program and the NC State Engineering Foundation, will sponsor Protect the Pack: Secure State!, a month-long event to inform campus IT users about cyber security measures such as mobile device security, antivirus protection, 2-step verification, password protection and security updates. October marks the 12th annual event sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance “to increase the awareness and prevention of online security problems.”

This year’s event will highlight the FBI Cybersquad on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Coastal Ballroom of the Talley Student Union. Special agents John Maser and Scott Bennett will discuss current cyber threats and trends. This engaging presentation will include a general overview of the FBI and its cyber resources, criminal and national security cyber matters, and threat statistics. Agents will also examine personal computer safety and provide general recommendations for protecting yourself online. They will conclude with an overview of FBI cyber careers and internship opportunities. Breakfast will be served and you could win a door prize.

A panel discussion titled Data Security for Researchers will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Currituck Ballroom of Talley Student Union. If you’re a campus researcher, do you know how to securely store data for your projects? Is your data and intellectual property protected from cyber criminals? Did you know that there are specific locations where sensitive data should be kept? Panelists, including NC State faculty researchers, NCSU Libraries staff and OIT staff, will address these topics and answer data security and storage questions. A light lunch will be served and there will be door prizes.

Other cyber security activities planned during October include:

Mobile Device Security Checkpoints

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 1: NC State Brickyard

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Oval, Centennial Campus

Thursday, Oct. 15: Talley Student Union

Wednesday, Oct. 21: Nelson Hall

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Court of Carolinas

Check to see if you have implemented safeguards on your iPhone or Android phone to protect against the most common risks.

Benefits of Google’s 2-Step Verification

Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2

ITTC 1AB, D.H. Hill Library

Learn how this security feature can protect your Google Apps @ NC State account and keep it from being compromised. Nik Davlantis of OIT Technology Support Services will provide an overview of 2-Step Verification and detailed instructions on how to enable this tool.

What’s Your Cybersecurity IQ?

Noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5

216 Scott Hall

Do you know what it takes to keep your valuable information safe in cyberland? In this interactive session, you’ll learn tips to create better passwords, add layers of security to your accounts, avoid phishing attacks, and more.

Android Security

Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13

216 Scott Hall

OIT Security and Compliance staff will take you through step-by-step recommendations — and requirements if you have a university-owned device — to secure your Android devices. Leave this session with the peace of mind brought to you by knowing your device is secure.

Mobile Security for iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch)

Noon to 1.p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28

119 Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC), Centennial Campus

Everette Allen of OIT Outreach, Communications and Consulting will show you how to use a screen lock passcode, encrypt and back up your data, locate your device if it’s lost, scan your device for malware and much more.

Tool Talks – Identity Finder

Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29

106 Avent Ferry

Campus system administrators are invited to join OIT Security and Compliance for a live demo of Identify Finder, a scanning tool used to locate social security numbers, bank account information, credit card information, and other sensitive data on devices connected to NC State’s network. System administrators will learn tool functionality as well as how to leverage it on campus. This data discovery tool will be implemented on campus later this fall in connection with the Payment Card Industry Industry-Data Security Standard project.

Light refreshments will be served at all cyber security month events and participants will have the opportunity to win great door prizes, including Beats Headphones, iPad, iPod Nano, video drones, Pebble smartwatch and Fitbits.

For more event information, see NC State’s CSAM 2015 website and poster.