Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promoting the importance of safeguarding our digital lives. Established in 2004 through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, this annual observance aims to educate individuals and organizations about the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats and the best practices for protecting sensitive information. From recognizing phishing scams to implementing strong password protocols, Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that staying informed and vigilant is key to maintaining a secure online presence. Join us this October in reinforcing your cybersecurity knowledge and fortifying your defenses against potential threats.

Events and Activities

October 1-11

Six Words - What Does Cybersecurity Mean to You?
Ends October 11 | Virtual event | Presented by TWU Information Security

Inspired by Six Words about Privacy at the University of Michigan and Six Words on Cybersecurity at the University of California, San Diego, Texas Woman’s University is excited to reintroduce the “Six Words About Cybersecurity” campaign this year in celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. TWU Information Security wants to know what you think about cybersecurity in six words or less. Responses from the campaign may be featured on the Cybersecurity in Six Words Wall, as well as social media throughout the year. We hope that responses from this year’s campaign will open up conversations, raise awareness, and help us all understand how to better secure our digital lives.

How it works:

1. Think about the question: “What does cybersecurity mean to you?”
2. Share your thoughts and perspective by completing the Six Words form.
3. Selected responses will be posted to the Cybersecurity in Six Words Wall and posted via social media.
4. Three participants will be randomly drawn to win prizes.

This campaign is open to Texas Woman’s students, faculty and staff only. When filling out the form, provide only the information you wish to submit. First name, last name, TWU email address and classification are required to verify student, faculty or staff status at the university. Please note that by completing this form, you consent to the publication of your words on the Cybersecurity in Six Words Wall webpage and in other media projects related to cybersecurity awareness or Cybersecurity Awareness Month. For publishing purposes, participants may choose to remain anonymous. If you would like your submission to remain anonymous, indicate that on the form and your first name will not be published with your six words, if your response is chosen for publication. We will not publish your name or email address under any circumstances without your consent.

Submitting a Six Words form does not guarantee publication on the Cybersecurity Wall or social media, nor does it guarantee any prize listed below.

Prizes:

Participants must submit six words (or less) via the campaign form to be eligible for the prize drawing. TWU Information Security will randomly draw three participant names for prizes. Any participant that completes the form and submits their six words (or less) response is eligible for the prize drawing. The participant’s six words do not need to be chosen for publication to enter the prize drawing. Participants that request that their six words remain anonymous are also eligible for the prize drawing.

• First name drawn – Apple Air Pods 
• Second name drawn – Apple Air Tag
• Third name drawn – TWU Pop Socket

Participation will open soon.

October 7

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Info Booth
11:00 AM -1:00 PM, Student Union 1st Floor | In-person event | Presented by TWU Information Security

Drop by the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Info Booth for giveaways and information about this year's activities.

October 8

Information Booth at the Spook-tacular Safety Fair
11:00 AM -1:00 PM, Student Union 1st Floor | In-person event | Presented by the Student Money Management Center

Join us at the Spook-tacular Safety Fair on Tuesday, October 8 from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM in the Student Union for a fun and informative visit to the Information Security booth!  Whether you're looking to learn how to protect your online accounts or have questions about staying safe in the digital world, our team is here to help! Stop by for tips, tricks, and maybe even a few Halloween treats! 

 

October 17

Information Security Table at Boo at the U!
6:00 PM -8:00 PM, Denton Campus: TWU Gardens and Hubbard Lawn | In-person event | Presented by the Student Union, ASSET and Campus Store

Get into the Halloween spirit and swing by the Information Security table at Boo at the U on October 17 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM!  We'll have plenty of tricks (and treats) to help you stay safe online while enjoying the spooky season! 

October 21-27 

TWU Cybersecurity Trivia
Virtual event | Presented by TWU Information Security

Want to put your cybersmarts to the test? Play TWU Cybersecurity Trivia to win prizes and bragging rights. Questions will be based on cybersecurity tips we share throughout the month, so follow along on Twitter (@TWUTech) and Facebook (TWU Technology) to gain an advantage. Participants must be a Texas Woman's University faculty, staff or student to play. 

Prizes

• 1st place - $50 TWU Dining Dollars
• 2nd place - $25 TWU Dining Dollars
• 3rd place - $15 TWU Dining Dollars

In the event of a tie, a winner will be randomly drawn from the eligible participants.

Registration will open soon.

October 23

TWU Asset E-waste Recycling
10:00 AM-2:00 PM, Parking lot adjacent to the ROTC building at 1120 Club House Drive, Denton Campus | In-person event | Presented by TWU IT Solutions in partnership with Facilities Management & Construction

Faculty and staff are invited to clear out and responsibly recycle all TWU non-tagged assets that may be outdated, broken, or simply taking up space within their departments or academic components. Proper destruction of storage devices and electronics is key to keeping TWU cyber secure.

On October 23, IT Solutions (ITS) is hosting Computer Crusher, a local electronic waste (e-waste) recycler, to collect TWU non-tagged assets. This event is for faculty and staff that work with TWU equipment.

Event Details

• Wednesday, October 23 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• 1120 Club House Drive, Denton Campus, adjacent to the ROTC Building - New location!
• Recycle departmental e-waste conveniently and securely

Drop-off Procedures
Computer Crusher will park their vehicle on the Denton campus at the ROTC building parking lot to allow for drive-up and walk-up accessibility. No reservation is needed for drop-offs, and an ITS staff will be onsite to monitor and facilitate drop-offs.

1. Walk or drive up to the parking lot adjacent to the ROTC building and wait for an ITS staff member to check you in.
2. Walk-up participants may approach the check-in table with their department’s recycling. Drive-up participants may check in from their vehicles.
3. Once checked in, a Computer Crusher representative will assist with loading recycling into their truck.

Accepted Items
This event is for TWU non-tagged assets/equipment only. Non-tagged assets include:

• Media storage such as flash drives, hard drives or tapes
• Monitors
• Keyboards, mice, and other peripherals
• Printers
• Audio/visual equipment
• Cables

TWU-owned tagged assets (assets that have a maroon and white sticker with tag number) will not be accepted since they must go through the surplus process before recycling. If your department has TWU tagged computers/assets ready for sanitation, please contact the ITS Service Desk at (940) 898-3971.

Recycling Process
All recycling will be done offsite at the Computer Crusher facility. A Certificate of Destruction will be obtained for all TWU assets. Please let the ITS attendant know if your department will require a copy of the Certificate of Destruction for your records.

Inclement Weather and Vendor Cancelation
In the cases of inclement weather or vendor cancelation, the event will be canceled. Please follow @TWUTech on Twitter for up-to-date information on event day.

Page last updated 1:40 PM, September 17, 2024