Cyber Security Awareness Month (#CyberMonth2023) is an internationally recognized campaign held every October to help the public learn more about the importance of cyber security. 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 cyber attacks. 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 cyber attacks. 

Initiative 1: Delivery of an Education Program

Once again as in the previous years, 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 #CyberMonth2023 is Step up your cyber fitness. Here are the sub-themes in which we will be reflecting upon each week:  

• September 29: #CyberMonth2023 Launch 
• Week of October 2: Warmup
• Week of October 9: Account workout
• Week of October 16: Learning self-defence
• Week of October 23: Maintaining muscle
• Week of October 30: Strength in numbers

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: 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) in MS Outlook.    

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 (#CyberMonth2023), 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 Cybersecurity Awareness Month, cybercrime happens 365 days a year. 

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

The Government of Canada 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 the President's Message.

Menu for week of October 2 to 6.

It was with sadness that we are announcing the departure of Terrence Shipclark, Manager of IT (Information Technology) Security from Humber College.  After a long and successful 15 years with Humber College, Terrence is leaving the college as of September 29, 2023, to pursue other opportunities.  

Terry first came to Humber College as a student and became an employee in 2008. For the past four years, Terry has been dedicated to building, leading, and growing a fantastic security team which has led to incredible achievements including the implementation of a vulnerability management system, security awareness platform and an endpoint detection and response tool. Terry’s passion for security has helped to make our campus safer for everyone. Humber’s security practices would not be what they are today without Terrence’s knowledge, passion, and leadership.  

Humber will not be the same without Terry, but we are happy for him to embark on the next part of his journey.  

Please join us in thanking Terrence for his many years of loyal and dedicated service to Humber. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.  

Warmly, 

Michelle Ching’anda 
Director IT Security and Strategic Lead, Enterprise Web Project