We shop, email, bank and research thousands of questions, from the trivial to the important, on the internet. And the university’s networks house an enormous amount of sensitive information, including student data, employee files, patient records and proprietary research.
Criminals are constantly finding new ways to steal information, but you can take important steps to protect yourself and UCLA.
In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, UCLA and UC are offering a variety of presentations and resources to help students, faculty and staff better understand cyber risk, and stay safer and more secure online, whether you’re at school, work or home.
UC is also offering a series of free webinars covering a range of topics, including the techniques hackers use to break into networks, what to consider when storing information in the cloud, and cybersecurity for medical devices.
On campus for faculty, staff and students
In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the following events and activities will be held during October for students, faculty and staff:
- FacTech: For all faculty members Wednesday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center, California Room. Sponsored by the Office of Information Technology and BruinTech. Faculty will be introduced to a variety of tools for productivity and collaboration to help them better manage their teaching and research. They’ll also learn about cyber security, including multi-factor authentication. The security practice will be required for all UCLA faculty and staff by fall 2017. At FacTech, faculty will rotate every 10 minutes to a different station so they can learn about these topics in a short period of time. Contact bruintech@ucla.edu for more information.
- TECHFAIR 2016: For students Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. at Carnesale Commons and Sproul Landing Terrace. Multi-factor authentication will also be covered. Sponsored by UCLA Residential Life.
- Raising Awareness of Web Application Security: For all IT staff Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center, Cypress Room. Are your apps secure? With Setumadhav (Setu) Kulkarni, vice president of product management, WhiteHat Security.
- “Terms and Conditions May Apply”: For students. Screening of a documentary that exposes what corporations and governments learn about people through internet and cell phone usage, and what can be done about it. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at UCLA Bradley International, Room 300. Co-sponsored with the Office of the UCLA Chief Privacy Officer.
- Current Trends in Cyber Crime: Presented by the FBI for all staff Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center, Cypress Room. A presentation by the FBI. Sponsored by Information Technology Services
- Current Trends in Cyber Crime: Presented by the FBI for students Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at UCLA Bradley International, Room 300. Sponsored by Information Technology Services.
Cyber security dos and don’ts
Protect yourself and your private information by following these tips:
- Use different passwords for different accounts, including for UC and non-UC logins.
- Your password is the key to your private information, so make it strong. Use a mix of letters, numbers and special characters.
- Never share your passwords with anyone.
- Protect your phone and other portable devices. Use complex passwords and automatic screen locking. Don’t leave your phone lying around where someone can steal it — even just for a second.
- Avoid phishing scams and ransomware. Never click on unknown links or files in emails, text messages, websites or pop-ups.
- Back it up. Back up everything on your phone or portable device that you don’t want to lose.
- Keep your private information private. Remember that once you share something online, it lives forever.
You can find additional systemwide information security news, alerts, upcoming events and other information on the UCLA security website.
Story originally posted at the UCLA Newsroom.