I am sitting at my desk waiting for the last of my 350 copies of the flyers I am printing to go out to student housing tomorrow to remind students living on campus about the Information Security Awareness Day that will be happening in two weeks! I am nervous but ready for this big event that I have been planning for almost three months now. In case I haven't mentioned my project to you yet, October is Cyber Security Awareness Month across the country and my boss has asked me to put on an Information Security Awareness Day that will cover topics like securing your wireless networks at home and work, how to make a secure password, how to recognize a "phishing" scheme, identifying malware, bots, and adware, how to protect your computer from viruses and worms, and stuff like that.

I have reserved a huge room at the student Union building on campus and my friend, Mindy, and I have arranged for speakers, break-out sessions, booths, games, prizes, and advertising throughout the campus and hospital, for employees, staff, faculty and students to attend. Needless to say, I have been very busy lately. One of our speakers is a former NSA employee. His name is Scott Thomas and he is currently working for the Mirage Hotel in Vegas as their Head of Security which includes all of the cameras and security technology. Our other outside speaker is Linda Criddle, author of "Look Both Ways," http://look-both-ways.com/ and former Senior Product Manager for Child Safety at Microsoft. I'm excited that we were able to get such highly respected speakers for our first annual event!! We have been trying to coordinate advertising throughout the University as well as the Hospital which, I have found out, is no easy task.

Here is an article that was published in the University Training Consortium two weeks ago:

Secure It!
By Lori Vuyk, Privacy and Information Security Training Manager, University of Utah Compliance Office

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Do you have any security awareness activities planned? We do, and we’re hoping you’ll participate! The University of Utah IT Compliance Office (Privacy and Security) and Office of Information Technology are sponsoring a Security Awareness Day on Tuesday, October 28, in the Saltair Room located in the Union Building from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

By stopping by one of the booths, you can learn about basic but essential computer security steps and cyber terminology that will help you do your part in protecting the campus network infrastructure and securing University private or sensitive information. Receive computer safety tips, free anti-virus software, and helpful handouts that will help you practice safe computer and online habits. Donuts and cider will also be served, plus there will be games, prizes and other giveaways.

FEATURED SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
The event will also feature speakers and breakout sessions during the day for those interested in something specific. Speakers and topics include:

Welcome at 10:30 am by Chris Kidd, Chief Compliance/University Information Security and Privacy Officer
"Information Security Threats and You" from 10:30 - 11:00 am - Scott Thomas, formerly with the National Security Agency (NSA).
“How to Cheat on a Test " from 11:00 - 11:30 am - Dave Packham, OIT
"Virtual World, Real Risks ” from 12:00 - 2:00 pm - Linda Criddle, author of 'Look Both Ways' and former Senior Product Manager for Child Safety at Microsoft

Breakout sessions will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will include presentations on:
Phishing Scams
Peer2Peer File Sharing and the RIAA
HIPAA
Secure Wireless Networks at Home and Work
Viruses and Malware
Secure Passwords
Social Networking

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Please put Tuesday, October 28th from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on your calendar now and plan to attend the Security Awareness Day. Remember, you are responsible for securing your computer and practicing safe computer and online habits. Don’t forget to SECURE IT!

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You can also go to the website Mindy and I created for more information...www.secureit.utah.edu.

So, here is my project and my life until the end of October. I'm glad it will be over by Halloween; then I can enjoy a little haunting before I move on to the next thing on my list of things to do. Oh well, job security, right?