10 October 2024

The number of cyber incidents in research and education − and other sectors too − is on the rise. Many of these incidents are related to staff actions. As a staff member, you play an important role in preventing these incidents. That is why the university needs you and why this month we are paying extra attention to awareness about cybersecurity and privacy. Before the summer, we published the articles below as part of a university-wide campaign. Have you read them yet?

• Why we are raising everyone’s awareness about cybersecurity: ‘Do things ever threaten to go horribly wrong here? Definitely.’
• Fed up with having to log in all the time? Here’s why it’s essential
• Professor Bart Schermer on digital threats to the university

Five practical tips for working safely at the university

• Lock your screen. If you walk away from your workplace for a moment and don’t lock your screen, someone may be able to take advantage of that. Locking means securing information in one second.
• Don’t be fooled by phishing. Did you know that phishing is one of the most common security incidents? With a simple check, you can prevent abuse.
• Use safe tools. With the tool picker, you can quickly see if your tool is safe. In this way, we ensure good security of information and personal data.
• Think carefully before sharing anything. Sharing data and documents with colleagues or other organizations can be useful, but it can also entail various risks. If you’re not sure, always ask if sharing is permitted.
• Report a potential incident immediately. Report an incident (or suspected incident) immediately to the ISSC Helpdesk. Be a hero: report it!

Would you like to know more about how you can protect your data and that of your colleagues by working privacy and security smart? Then take a look at the campaign page Check it: work privacy and security smart.