October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM). Once again Humber’s objective is to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, and to ensure our community has the resources and expertise required to be safe and secure online. With this objective in mind, Humber will be providing a number of cybersecurity themed activities throughout the month of October.  Our hope is that all employees participate and master the art of being secure online.

Initiative 1: Delivery of an Education Program

Humber has partnered with the Government of Canada’s Communications Security Establishment to provide our community with resources and activities to support the national Get Cyber Safe initiative and further bolster Humber’s Security. The theme of CSAM 2021 is Life Happens Online. Here are the sub-themes in which we will be reflecting upon each week:

• October 1: CSAM Launch
• Week of October 4: Staying in touch
• Week of October 11: Sharing special moments
• Week of October 18: Working and networking
• Week of October 25: Families and businesses

Throughout October, ITS will provide access to training videos, infographics and activities based on the sub-themes above. The delivery format will be on a weekly basis (as per sub-themes) through our training platform KnowBe4. Employees should expect to receive training enrollment and reminder emails from IT Security <do-not-reply@training.knowbe4.com>.

Initiative 2: HSPP Partnership - Phishing Awareness Game

Through the HSPP Partnership, Humber and Seneca College has collaborated to develop an educational Phishing Awareness game. With a focus on strategies for identifying phishing, players must correctly identify phishing emails in a virtual work environment. Employees will receive an email with information on how to access the game in the coming week.

In addition to providing our two communities with an entertaining learning experience, the game will also includes a Humber Vs. Seneca scoreboard which will allow for a friendly competition. So let's show Seneca's Sammy Sting just how powerful the Humber Hawk’s community is.

What is the HSPP Partnership?

The Humber-Seneca Polytechnic Partnership (HSPP) was created to promote cooperation between institutions and enhance and expand learning opportunities as students begin, continue, or complete their postsecondary education. Leveraging the combined resources of Humber and Seneca, the HSPP also seeks to support collaborative activity rather than competition across institutions.

Initiative 3: Phishing Simulations

Throughout the month of October, Humber will deliver a number of simulated phishing emails to your Humber mailbox. These simulations will allow you to apply your cybersecurity knowledge to real world scenarios without the risks associated with a real cyber attack.   When you believe that you’ve received a phishing email, employees are encouraged to report them utilizing the Phish Alert Button(PAB).  

Finally, and most Importantly, win prizes!

As a small token of our appreciation of your continued support of our cybersecurity initiatives, weekly raffles prizes will be made available. You can earn raffle entries each week for completing and participating in our initiatives - the more you participate, the more entries you can earn.  During the final week, a grand prize will be drawn, and all your accumulated raffle entries you have accumulated throughout the month will be eligible.

To support our planned activities and to experiment with new technologies, we will once again be delivering some additional materials within Microsoft Teams thereby enabling collaboration, an open dialogue and engagement. To participate, join the GetCyberSafe Microsoft Team, and we will keep you informed as we release new material and activities. To join the Team, do one of the following:

Note: Those that participated last year may already be a member of our Getcybersafe team. We have changed the name, and reused the previous team, and hope to utilize this team for more than just the Month of October in the future. While October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, cyber crime happens 365 days a year.

IT Security, Information Technology Services