National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is starting!
It's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and IT Services has a LOT going on.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is starting!
It's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and IT Services has a LOT going on.
Each October, IT Services observes National Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a full schedule of events, lectures, content, and more. Take a look at what we’ve cooked up for this year!
Main theme for NCSAM 2026: AI and Data Privacy
This year, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) focuses on AI, cybersecurity, and data privacy. As AI becomes a bigger part of our everyday life, it is important to understand how AI can affect our personal information and online security. AI can be helpful, but it can also create new risks, such as scams, phishing attacks, and the misuse of personal data.
Our goal this year for NCSAM is to encourage you to stay informed, protect your accounts, use strong passwords, be careful about what information you are sharing online, and think about practicing safe AI use by using our Best Practices KB article. By practicing good cybersecurity habits and understanding how our data is being used, we can stay safer and more secure.
Fireside Cyberchat: Helen Patton, CISO
In addition to our regular tabling events, we will also host cybersecurity expert Helen Patton for a Fireside Cyberchat via Zoom. This will be Helen’s third Fireside Cyberchat with us. (Find the videos on our YouTube channel!)
Mark your calendars now:
Rearchitecting the Basics
October 15, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
AI is introducing a lot of new risks, and a lot of new capabilities. But before you can run, you have to learn to walk. Unfortunately, the old way of doing the basics won't be enough.
In this session we'll talk about what the basics are, how they are changing in a world with AI, and what you can do now to improve security and IT.
Helen Patton is a cybersecurity executive advisor at Cisco, and previously the CISO at The Ohio State University. Helen has a master’s degree in public policy, blogs about cybersecurity stuff and is the author of “Navigating the Cybersecurity Career Path”. She advocates for more naps and is anti-bagpipes.
Invite and more to come!
Come hang out with us at the NCSAM table!
This year, as always, the Information Security Office will be out and about on campus on Fridays dishing details about cybersecurity, privacy, phishing, and more! We’ll be quizzing you on your cybersecurity knowledge and giving out fabulous prizes, so come find us!
Date: Oct. 2, 16, 23, and 30 (all Fridays)
Location: Tech Support Lounge in Armstrong Student Center
ShredFest: Special October Edition
You’ve been waiting long enough: the university is no longer under litigation hold for university-related documents! As such, we are scheduling a super special edition of our popular shredding event so you can finally get those documents out of your closet.
Save the date: October 14, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Boyd Hall parking lot
Please read carefully: Every document shredded still needs to be compliant with university retention policies. To destroy university documents, you must ensure the documents have reached the end of their retention period and accompany them with a signed Records Disposal Form. See the Office of General Counsel's Records and Retention for Miami's Records Retention Schedule and disposal forms.
More information can be found in the IT News!