October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promoting the habits and practices that helps everyone stay safer online. Throughout the month, MSU IT will share its Pause. Verify. Protect. campaign, offering practical guidance on topics such as phishing, strong passphrases, data privacy, and timely software updates.
In addition to MSU IT’s awareness efforts, Spartans are invited to participate in a series of virtual educational sessions hosted by the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA). The month-long event series brings together cybersecurity leaders, and higher education experts to discuss emerging challenges, new technologies, research security, artificial intelligence, governance, and the evolving threat landscape facing colleges and universities.
One event that may be of particular interest to the MSU community is the BTAA CISO Panel on Oct. 8, which will feature cybersecurity leaders from across the conference, including MSU IT Chief Information Security Officer Andy Weisskopf.
“As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, collaboration across higher education is more important than ever,” Weisskopf said. “Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great opportunity to learn from peers, share experiences, and reinforce the practical steps each of us can take to reduce risk.”
The virtual event series open to faculty, staff, students, and IT professionals interested in cybersecurity and technology topics. Sessions include discussions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity governance, federal research security requirements, and emerging threats affecting higher education.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Oct. 1: Big Ten Academic Alliance & National Cybersecurity Alliance Game Show
- Oct. 6: How to Survive the AI Apocalypse
- Oct. 8: BTAA CISO Panel
- Oct. 13: The CIS AI Journey: What Worked, What We Adjusted, What We’re Still Figuring Out
- Oct. 21: Leading Secure AI Adoption in Higher Education: Governance Strategies for an Evolving Threat Landscape
- Oct. 29: An Introduction to the Evolving Federal Research Cybersecurity Landscape and What It Means for University IT Teams
The BTAA series complements MSU IT’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign by highlighting a simple reality: cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Whether protecting university data, recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passphrases, or keeping devices up to date, small actions taken consistently can make a significant difference.
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend one or more of the BTAA sessions and follow MSU IT’s Pause. Verify. Protect. Campaign throughout October.
Learn more and register for the BTAA Cybersecurity Awareness Month event series on the BTAA registration page.
Join Us at a Cyber Goose Pop-Up Event
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is happening across campus, too. Stop by one of our Cyber Goose Pop-Up Events to learn about cybersecurity resources and pick up a free Cyber Goose T-shirt while supplies last.
All events take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Oct. 1 – Wells Hall
- Oct. 8 – International Center
- Oct. 20 – Brody Hall
- Oct. 29 – MSU Union
Whether you have questions about cybersecurity or just want to grab a shirt and say hello, we hope to see you there.
For additional cybersecurity resources, visit secureit.msu.edu.
Pause. Verify. Protect.
