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Five ways to stay cyber smart

Colleen Rich — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:03:01 +0000

Five ways to stay cyber smart Colleen Rich Thu, 10/17/2024 - 09:03

October is Cybersecurity Month and a good time to check up on the best ways to stay “cyber smart” across all the digital platforms in your life.

Be Phish-Aware. Do not click on suspicious links or share personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers, or credit card or bank details in response to phish you may receive via email, phone call, or text. Common indicators of phishing include: language that asks you to act with urgency, spelling or grammar errors, or offers that seem too good to be true.
Use Unique and Strong Passphrases. Simple passwords can be guessed. Use passphrases with a mix of upper and lowercase letters and numbers/character substitutions that are not easy to guess. Do not reuse passwords for multiple services or share passwords with others. Remember, no reputable organization, including George Mason, will ask you for your password. If you suspect your password has been compromised, change it immediately. Use a password manager to help you set strong passwords and securely store them for later use.
Beware of Push-Bombing. A strong password is key, but you need more than a password to protect your personal data and accounts. Enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) decreases your chances of getting hacked. But, watch out: Attackers use “MFA fatigue” or push-bombing attacks, where the attacker sends numerous authentication requests until a user gives in and approves it. If you have not attempted to log into an application but are receiving authentication alerts, do not approve them. Instead, reset your password and contact the ITS Support Center or appropriate helpdesk for assistance.
Keep Software Updated. When devices, apps, or software programs (especially antivirus software) notify you that updates are available, install them as soon as possible. Updated software ensures you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Devices managed by George Mason receive updates automatically. For personal and non-George Mason managed devices and applications, it is important to install the updates in a timely manner.
Report Suspicious Activity. If you receive a suspicious email or are unsure if something is legitimate, connect with ITS before you click, open, or respond. Other than resetting your password immediately, do not attempt to remedy the situation on your own. ITS has trained specialists available to help and keep George Mason cyber safe.

Check out a list of ITS activities for Cybersecurity Awareness Month at George Mason.

ITS support is also now available 24/7. You can call 703-993-8870 or submit a request online.

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George Mason hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer

Colleen Rich — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:06:55 +0000

George Mason hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer Colleen Rich Mon, 07/01/2024 - 09:06

Charmaine Madison, deputy chief of the IT Enterprise Group at the Central Intelligence Agency, has been named Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer at ��AV, Deb Dickenson, executive vice president for finance and administration, announced Monday. Madison will report to Jackie Ferree, senior vice president of operations and business services.

Charmaine Madison. Photo provided

“Charmaine joins George Mason at a critical moment in the evolution of our institution,” Dickenson said. “Her experience implementing transformational change through strategic roadmaps is well-suited for the opportunities and challenges our university faces as we modernize and streamline our infrastructure to serve the diverse needs of our community.”

In more than a decade with the CIA, Madison has executed the strategic design of modernization roadmaps, managed daily operations, and served as the senior IT leader covering the intelligence community’s most extensive research and development directorate.

Madison is a retired cyber operations officer with the Air Force. She holds a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University and master’s degrees in business administration, information technology and national security studies. She is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

Dickenson also thanked Charlie Spann for his interim leadership for the past 18 months, during which he ensured the continuity of ITS services and systems, delivered significant progress on major university initiatives and built a robust ITS leadership team. Spann will resume his role as deputy CIO and assistant vice president of enterprise service delivery. “His leadership and experience will be instrumental to this transition and to George Mason’s future,” Dickenson said.

Madison begins her new role on Aug. 1.

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All Mason employees required to complete IT security awareness training by October 31

Pam Shepherd — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:46:36 +0000

All Mason employees required to complete IT security awareness training by October 31 Pam Shepherd Tue, 09/19/2023 - 10:46

All Mason employees are reminded to complete their mandatory 2023 IT Security Awareness Training assigned to them in MasonLEAPS by Tuesday, October 31. The training was assigned by Information Technology Services (ITS) to all employees—including contractors, affiliates, and student wage workers—to equip them with knowledge about cybersecurity risks and online safety and security.

Employees must complete the training by deadline to avoid having their NetID disabled, which interrupts access to Mason’s IT services. For details about the training, visit the ITS website.
Those who experience problems accessing the training should email the ITS Support Center or call (703) 993-8870.

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Five ways to stay cyber smart

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George Mason hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer

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