Kickstart the Academic Year: Essential Cybersecurity Tips for Staff

September 5, 2024

As the new academic year begins, ensuring a secure computing environment should be a top priority for both faculty and staff. The first step in achieving this goal is to install robust antivirus applications like Sophos, which are specifically designed to protect devices against malicious software. It’s essential to keep these applications updated regularly as new threats are constantly emerging. Additionally, maintaining current software updates for your operating system and applications is crucial because outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Backing up your data to secure locations is another vital practice that cannot be overlooked. According to Penn’s Data Risk Classification guidelines, data should be backed up regularly to ensure its availability and integrity. This not only mitigates the risk of data loss due to hardware failures but also acts as a safeguard against ransomware attacks, where data can be encrypted and held for ransom. Using cloud storage solutions or external hard drives for backups can provide a reliable and accessible means of safeguarding essential information.

Best Practices for Email Security

As the new academic year kicks off, ensuring a secure computing environment must be a top concern for both faculty and staff. The initial step to achieve this is by installing reliable antivirus programs like Sophos, which are specifically designed to guard against malicious software. These applications need to be updated regularly to combat the ever-evolving threats. In addition, keeping your operating system and software current is essential, as outdated versions often have vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.

Backing up your data to secure locations is another crucial practice that should not be neglected. According to Penn’s Data Risk Classification guidelines, data should be backed up regularly to ensure its integrity and availability. Doing so not only reduces the risk of data loss due to hardware failures but also serves as a safeguard against ransomware attacks, where data can be encrypted and held for ransom. Utilizing cloud storage solutions or external hard drives for backups provides a secure and accessible way to protect essential information, ensuring you’re prepared for any potential data threats.

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