October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (#CyberMonth2022). Humber’s objective is to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, and to ensure our community has the resources and expertise required to protect the organization and themselves against phishing scams. By protecting yourself and your organization against phishing scams, you can foil a cyber criminal’s plans.  

With this objective in mind, Humber will be providing several cybersecurity themed activities throughout the month of October. Our hope is that all employees participate and master the art of spotting phishing scams. 

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 for #CyberMonth2022 is Fight phishing: Ruin a cyber criminal’s day. Here are the sub-themes in which we will be reflecting upon each week:  

• September 30: CyberMonth2022 Launch 
• Week of October 3: You got phished 
• Week of October 10: Where, why, and how it happens 
• Week of October 17: Prevention 
• Week of October 24: Putting it all together 

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 - Season 2 

As part of our #CyberMonth2022 initiative, the phishing Awareness Game returns for a second season. The second season of the game reinforces our learning objectives of identifying phishing emails through red flags that are often been used by cyber criminals. In addition, players must correctly identify phishing emails in a hybrid work environment. Employees will receive an email with information on how to access the game in the coming week. Check out the teaser video in the Humber Communiqué. 

In addition, there will be a friendly competition between Humber and Seneca College. Employees will have the opportunity to play the game any number of times to improve their knowledge and skills in identifying phishing emails, thereby increasing Humber colleges’ overall score so please make sure to try the game until you get that perfect score. The leaderboard will show which college is winning in real-time.  

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 several 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 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 created a new channel (#CyberMonth2022), and reused the previous team, and hoped to utilize this team for more than just the Month of October in the future. While October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, cybercrime happens 365 days a year.

IT Security, Information Technology Services

To the Humber community,

As part of initiatives to support this year’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, Confederation College, Humber College, and Seneca have confirmed the official signing of a Letter of Intent that affirms their partnership in relation to the development of a Bachelor of Indigenous Leadership and Community Development. Announcing this update today, on September 30, is important as postsecondary institutions acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and their commitment to address this history by responding to the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

The development of this program is most notable for the provision of relevant, authentic programs and curriculum, initiatives that go beyond the provision of services and supports, actively supporting communities in their resurgence, resilience and capacity-building. The proposed honours degree program is directly connected to these objectives.

Confederation, Humber and Seneca first announced the joint program in June 2021. Since that time, a steering committee of Indigenous leads at each institution have been engaged in the development process, with the intention that each will bring its unique resources and talents to the program delivery. The colleges are working towards having first cohorts in the program as of September 2024.

The Letter of Intent signed and announced today contains our collective expressions of commitment to this process, along with an undertaking to negotiate a specific agreement in relation to the delivery. Our shared intention is for students to engage in a Confederation-held program that will maximize the academic resources of all three institutions while leaning on the specific strengths of each. 

Next steps in this process include the development of a Memorandum of Understanding that will address the specific mechanisms for program delivery and resource sharing. At the same time, the program of study and program learning objectives and courses will be fully elaborated in a proposal to the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board. After this step, the program will be considered for approval by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

We will continue to keep the Humber community updated as the program moves through the development and approval stages.

Dear Humber community,

As I prepare to transition to my new role of retiree, and walk the halls of Humber one last time, I am taking this moment to thank you for your support and friendship over the years. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of walking alongside you as we worked through the many opportunities and challenges that came our way. You have achieved significant goals and started some powerful conversations and calls to action over the years and I know you will continue to respond in equally powerful ways.

The list of what I am proud of from my time at Humber is long. On my first day I commented on the energy and the caring nature of all who worked here. As I prepare for my last day, I would say the same thing. It is the people who truly make Humber what it is.

You are in good hands with President Vaughan, and I will miss working with her and the Executive Team as they craft Humber’s next strategic plan together with all of you.

Jason Hunter will take on the position of Acting Vice-President, HROE until the role of Vice-President People(s) and Culture is hired. I have learned a lot from Humber and all its great leaders. I will always remember you and my time at the college and leave with many fond memories.

Thanks for all that you do to advance inclusivity and equity at Humber. Farewell.

Lori Diduch

Flags will be at half-mast on Friday, September 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an important step in the reconciliation process. It provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour their survivors, their families and communities.

More details can be found in Humber's statement on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.