This October, University of Nebraska joins the global effort to promote Cybersecurity Awareness Month, empowering our campus community to “Stay Safe Online.” Whether you're a student, faculty member, researcher, or staff, your actions play a vital role in protecting our digital environment.
This year, we’re spotlighting the “Core 4” simple steps everyone can take to strengthen cybersecurity:
- Use strong passwords and a password manager
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Update your software
- Recognize and report scams
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be intimidating. These small actions make a big impact in keeping our campus safe.
Why Cybersecurity Awareness Matters
Cybersecurity awareness means understanding digital threats and knowing how to protect yourself and university data. In a higher education setting, this includes safeguarding student records, research data, and institutional systems.
With the rise of remote learning, cloud-based tools, and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, awareness is more critical than ever. Universities are prime targets for attacks due to the volume of sensitive data and open-access environments.
The Risks of Being Unaware
Without cybersecurity awareness, individuals risk falling for phishing scams, compromising personal or institutional data, and enabling cybercriminals to disrupt academic operations. Consequences can include financial loss, identity theft, and damage to research integrity.
The Impact of a Cyber-Aware Campus
- When end users are cyber aware, the entire institution benefits:
- Stronger protection of academic and personal data
- Fewer phishing and malware incidents
- Faster response to suspicious activity
- Improved digital citizenship and academic integrity
- Lower recovery costs and more resources for innovation
How NU ITS Is Supporting You
Our NU Information Technology Services (ITS) team is working behind the scenes to protect campus systems, monitor threats, and provide tools and training to help you stay secure.
This month, look out for tips, activities, and resources to boost your cybersecurity skills. Let’s work together to build a safer digital campus—one smart click at a time.