Capitol Marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Events, Activities

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM)! With the goal of promoting vigilance and best practices among all users of computers and networks, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance have sponsored NCSAM every year since 2004.

As home to nationally recognized programs in cybersecurity and computer science, Capitol Technology University places great signifiance on this annual occasion. For October 2015, the university is marking it with a series of notable events, including talks and presentations, a visit to campus by an NSA education representative, and a day of cyber competitions and games held at the university's Cyber Battle Lab. For a complete calendar, scroll to the end of this post.

Tech talks held on October 15 at Puente Library will focus on reverse engineering and drones. The following week, on October 21, cybersecurity chair Wiliam Butler will deliver a webinar on security issues related to the Internet of Things (IoT), in conjuncution with the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE).  His presentation will be accessible online to IWCE members.

Meanwhile, on October 17, anyone with an interest in cybersecurity is invited to attend the university's Cyber Saturday held at the Cyber Battle Lab at the McGowan Center. Games and competitions have been designed for students at all levels.

Capitol faculty are starting off the month with participation in panel discussiions at the 13th Annual Cybernetics, Cybersafety and Cybersecurity (C3®) conference and the inaugural National K-12 Cybersecurity Education Conference. On October 1, cybersecurity program chair William Butler joined Shanice White and Marilyn Fitzpatrick of Charles Herbert Flowers High School in discussions on dual high school enrollments, stackable credentials, and transfer pathways.

“Every citizen has a part to play in protecting our critical infrastructure,” Butler says. “Although you may not think that phone in your hand or the computer at your desk is critical infrastructure, actually it is. It’s potentially another venue hackers can use to get into the system and wreak havoc.

"All of us can and should take steps to protect our phones, computers and data and thus help contribute to improved cybersecurity. That’s what this month is all about.”

The complete list of Capitol activities marking NCSAM follows below.