Why is Cybersecurity important?
Cybersecurity's main function is to protect all the devices and services we use and the information stored within them. In the office, you depend on many pieces of technology to complete your job which exposes you and your users to potential risks.
Depending on the role you play in the workplace, you may be responsible for handling sensitive information like personal addresses, student records and other personally identifiable information. Implementing basic cybersecurity practices is an easy way to protect you and the university.
What you can do
Never share your FIU password. If you share the password to your FIU account, your personal information is at risk because everything is connected to the same account. A compromised account puts others at risk, as well.
Secure your workstation. When leaving your desk for a break, ensure your devices have their applications closed and are turned off so no one can access your account or personal data.
Only use code if you fully understand its function. While editing your site, you may use AI tools or online resources for writing code. While these resources can be useful, you should refrain from using code that is not from a trusted source, as code snippets can steal information or install malware on your device.
Be cautious with external emails and links. If you encounter a suspicious email, report it as a phishing scam. Suspicious emails may include unknown links or sender addresses and images or attachments.
What we do at Digital Communications
A lot of cybersecurity work is done behind the scenes. The DigiComm team, for example, maintains cybersecurity hygiene throughout our web services, sites and templates by using secure coding practices and complying with PCI standards.
One of our most important cybersecurity responsibilities is vetting user access. When someone is requesting access to one of our sites, we require proper credentials and authorization to ensure security of other users. We also make sure users that are no longer affiliated with the university don't have access.
We provide extra layers of security for users browsing our sites by implementing security measures like SSL and forcing HTTPS on our websites.
On the Core Resource Hub, the team writes posts and publishes additional resources to inform users of best practices. We regularly update our Cascade template to fix vulnerabilities that appear due to bugs. We make sure to communicate these updates through the Core Resources Blog and the FIU Digital team on Microsoft Teams to keep users aware of any issues that may affect them or their websites.
The DigiComm team also ensures our services like Cascade and Webforms are always running on the latest version. Additionally, we provide a support system where you can contact us for assistance at digimaint@fiu.edu and answers to your concerns.
What if I need help?
If you encounter any suspicious activity, make sure to report it immediately. To report a security incident, please contact security@fiu.edu. Feel free to include DigiComm at digimaint@fiu.edu if you are concerned about any impacts to your website.
The FIU IT Security team provides guidance on cybersecurity, phishing scams and more. We encourage you to review their information on cybersecurity policies, standards and procedures.
My interest in cybersecurity
As the president of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) FIU Student Chapter, I educate up-and-coming professionals in the cybersecurity field. The WiCyS team focuses on supporting paths to certifications and internships.
During my time with the Office of Digital Communications development team, I promoted best practices and user accessibility across FIU's many academic units. I've collaborated with faculty and staff to maintain a high standard of cybersecurity on a universitywide scale.
What's next?
This is my last post as a member of the DigiComm team. I'll be transitioning to working with the FIU IT Security team as I continue working toward a career in cybersecurity. It's been a pleasure working with you through DigiComm, and I hope to continue helping the FIU community in my new role as a student cybersecurity analyst.