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The information security team is your point of contact for information, training, and resources to help you keep your personal and business data safe. Come here for information, tutorials, and news regarding cybersecurity.

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Featured Post

KnowBe4

Upgraded Annual Cybersecurity Training!

May 17, 2024

Your annual cybersecurity awareness training is being upgraded this year!

This month we explain what to expect from Biola's new cybersecurity training platform.


Articles

The hook on the end of a fishing pole catches a piece of mail displayed on a laptop screen.

Phishing Threats to Students

October 11, 2023

Attackers have been fraudulently impersonating university departments to trick students into paying them money.

This article guides Biola students on how to understand social engineering, recognize phishing attacks, and verify email credibility.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023

2023 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month at Biola

October 2, 2023

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Here are some updates about a new cyber defense platform, what IT Information Security has done over the past year, and tips to improve your cybersecurity practices.

Humanoid robots sit around a conference table, having a meeting.

ChatGPT at Biola: Is AI Safe to Use?

May 15, 2023

AI tools have taken the world by storm — are they dangerous, or are they safe to use?

This article provides an overview of what ChatGPT is and how it should and should not be used for work.

A human hand nearly triggers a mouse trap baited with a text message icon.

Phone Security: Defense Against Smishing, Spear Phishing, and Spam

November 10, 2022

Biolans have been receiving malicious text messages on their personal cell phones claiming to be from Biola executives.

This month we explain how to defend yourself against SMS phishing, spear phishing, and spam on your phone.

The road in front of Bardwell Hall, looking toward the bell tower at sunset.

Annual Update: Cybersecurity at Biola in 2022

October 5, 2022

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

So this month we provide our annual updates on the state of cybersecurity at Biola, and how you're involved.

A computer monitor lists the words Compliance, Rules, Standards, Policies, Requirements, Regulations, Transparency, Law.

Cybersecurity Compliance: Our Part and Yours

June 16, 2022

Cybersecurity can feel like red tape that gets in the way of your work. Why are there so many security requirements for employees?

This month we explain cybersecurity compliance requirements, and how you play a role.

A professional woman works from home, next to her son and dog.

Working Securely from Home

November 23, 2021

Phishing incidents increased by 220% last year, and are continuing to rise.

For this last week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we provide a refresh on how you can protect yourself from phishing and social engineering.

A masked man uses a fishing rod to catch an email.

Phishing RePhresh

October, 28 2021

Phishing incidents increased by 220% last year, and are continuing to rise.

For this last week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we provide a refresh on how you can protect yourself from phishing and social engineering.

A laptop and documents secured with a lock.

Back to Basics: 3 Quick Tips to Stay Secure

October, 15 2021

To observe NCSAM, we are reviewing three easy steps you can take today to become more security-minded and protect yourself from security threats.

It's cybersecurity awareness month 2021.

The State of Cybersecurity at Biola in 2021

September 30, 2021

Every year for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month we take a moment to assess the past year. What have we been doing, and how has Biola improved?

Read this month's article to review our successes and get a sneak peak at what's coming in the next year.

Icons from many Google services fly out of an open box.

You Can't Take It With You

March 5, 2021

This month we explain why and how you should keep your work and personal data separate in your employee Google account.

A mouse arrow highlights the Restart option on a computer screen.

Be Smart, Restart

March 5, 2021

Did you know that attackers discover new vulnerabilities every day in operating systems and software, which they can exploit to steal your data?

This month we explain how simply restarting your computer regularly can protect you from these vulnerabilities.

A smartphone screen displays an app's Terms and Conditions page.

Who Really Reads the Fine Print?

December 18, 2020

Every software purchase comes with risk because Biola's data is involved.

This month we explain IT’s technology review process, and how you can contribute to acquiring new software quickly and painlessly.

Hand holding a smartphone that says

Google 2-Step Verification for Biola Faculty and Staff

November 28, 2020

In the near future, Google 2-Step Verification will be enforced for all Biola-managed email accounts.

This month, we explain what 2-Step Verification is and how to enable it.

Dave's computer screen shines a red light on his panicked face.

Cybersecurity Month Episode 4: Suspicious Technology

October 26, 2020

For the final week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Dave discovers the risk of using untrusted devices and programs.

Dave, the department manager, happily tries on new sunglasses.

Cybersecurity Month Episode 3: Computer Theft

October 19, 2020

For Week 3 of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Dave learns about physical device security when he leaves his computer unattended.

Dave, the department manager, smiles down at his laptop computer.

Cybersecurity Month Episode 2: Data Sharing

October 12, 2020

For Week 2 of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we review sound data sharing practices with another episode of this cybersecurity video series.

Two coworkers look at each other.

Cybersecurity Month Episode 1: Password Habits

October 6, 2020

For the first week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), we review secure password habits with the first episode of this humorous video series.

It's cybersecurity awareness month.

Where We Stand: Biola InfoSec in 2020

September 30, 2020

This month, we review our cybersecurity successes at Biola and prepare you for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

A computer screen shows text from an email header.

Spot Spoofing Like the Pros

August 25, 2020

Phishers use techniques that allow them to send email from another person's email address without logging in to their email account.

This month, we explain how you can use email headers to identify email address spoofing.

A man wears a disguise of glasses, false nose, and mustache.

Can You Spot the Imposter?

July 23, 2020

Over the past few months, we have seen attackers continue to target Biola employees with imposter fraud in the form of phishing emails. Most often, these imposters use sender names as a disguise.

This month, we explain the importance of verifying a sender's email address.

A door to a home stands open.

Hackers Don't Break In, They Log In

June 22, 2020

These days, hackers don’t break in, they log in (with your credentials).

This month, we want to encourage you to keep your guard up. Phishing and social engineering attacks continue to be the most common attack vector used by cyber criminals.

A laptop computer displays a Zoom meeting in progress.

Safeguarding Your Zoom Meetings

May 5, 2020

You may have heard Zoom’s name in the news recently, so we’d like to answer some of your security and privacy questions.

An envelope hangs from a fishhook, over a background of coronavirus shapes.

COVID-19 Scams to Watch Out For

April 22, 2020

Attackers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation to capitalize on the fear people experience during a crisis.

This month, we explain the most common COVID-19 scams we have seen since March, and ways you can stay safe.

A woman with a dust mask looks at her upheld smartphone as if taking a selfie.

Working Securely during the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 24, 2020

While working from home during the COVID-19 situation, it’s important to practice secure remote computing.

This month, we cover special considerations for working remotely, and for using a personally-owned computer for work.

Two people sitting side by side work on laptop computers.

Digital Inheritance: Your Data in Your Absence

February 20, 2020

Every day, as you interact with technology, you are adding to your digital presence at home and at work. When you’re no longer available, you’ll leave all your accounts and files behind as a digital inheritance for others to manage.

This month, we talk about safe ways to prepare your digital inheritance for others.

Two women write on a whiteboard.

Prepare Your Data for Business Continuity

January 15, 2019

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to access a coworker's business data, but they were out of the office or unavailable? These situations are common and illustrate the need for sound business continuity practices.

You are responsible to make business data available in your absence so that your team’s work can continue.

Where Should I Store Sensitive Data?

December 13, 2019

Sensitive data is any information that we don't make publicly available. But where should we store sensitive information? And how should we share it with our coworkers?

The way we store and share private information is the backbone of information security.

If You Collect It, Protect It

November 12, 2019

As an employee at Biola, if you collect any information about a person as part of your job, it’s your duty to secure that information, and use it responsibly.

This month, we look at data privacy..

Don't Be Manipulated by Social Engineering

October 24, 2019

For our last week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we focus on your security-mindedness — specifically how to protect yourself against social engineering attacks.

A woman with a laptop sits in an airport.

Secure Your Tech with 7 Easy Tools

October 16, 2019

Own it. Secure it. Protect it. That’s the 2019 theme for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

This week, we review some simple but powerful tech tools for securing your devices and personal information.

A woman's hands hold a smartphone, and little hearts float above it.

Own Your Responsibility on Social Media

October 9, 2019

Social media is a great resource, but it doesn’t come without risks for you, your family, your friends, and your employer. When risk is present, we have a responsibility to keep ourselves and our community safe.

This week, we highlight three areas of responsibility when using social media sites.

Cybsersecurity at Biola - One Year Later

October 3, 2019

One year ago, during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2018, Biola launched our university’s Information Security Program.

So what have we being doing at Biola to stay secure?

A smartphone displays a thumbprint on the screen for Touch ID.

Is My Smartphone Secure?

September 19, 2019

This month, we explain the many ways you can protect the information on your smartphone.

Don't Pay the Ransom

August 16, 2019

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts your files so that you can’t open them without a decryption key.

With a few simple habits, you can protect yourself and Biola against ransomware attacks.

A person's hands hold a pencil and use a mouse to control a desktop computer.

Data Security Training at Biola

August 14, 2019

Biola requires all employees to complete mandatory data security training every year. IT assigns the training through the EverFi system.

A red arrows points up into a red cloud, with the words

Don't Forget to Back Up

July 23, 2019

Data is valuable. No one wants to lose the information stored on their computers.

The only way to protect yourself against data loss is through regular backups.

Safeguard Your WiFi Activity with VPN

June 17, 2019

Everyone likes free WiFi. But when you're doing Biola work from off campus, you need to make sure your network connection is protected from cyber attackers trying to steal your sensitive information.

You can use Biola’s VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to solve this problem..

Orange fish hook above the words,

Simulated Phishing at Biola

May 13, 2019

Simulated phishing is when an organization sends fake phishing emails to employees for the sake of training personnel to recognize phishing, and to gather response data.

At Biola, we use a simulated phishing tool called KnowBe4.

A cell phone taking a photo of a trolley.

Protect Your Tech While Traveling

May 8, 2019

It’s the end of another year at Biola, and many of us have travel plans for the summer. So this month, we share tips for protecting your technology and personal information while traveling.

Two women staring at their cell phones.

Keep What's Private, Private

April 15, 2019

We know that cyber attackers can target you using information they find on public websites.

But what about social network sites, where you choose what you reveal about yourself online? Your interests, location, habits, friends, and family. Attackers can use this information for nefarious purposes.

Man looking at a social media profile on a computer screen.

They Know Who You Are

March 15, 2019

Stay on guard.

Nearly every week, we see cyber attackers target specific Biola employees using personal information they find online. Learn how to best defend yourself against these targeted attacks.

A note thumbtacked to a wall that says:

Share Access, Not Passwords

February 14, 2019

We all know sharing passwords is unsafe. And yet, nearly every week, Biola employees log in to a coworker’s computer or email account. This is a security risk.

This month, we give you solutions for sharing data access without sharing passwords.

Man looking at computer screen with password in frustration.

Build the Unhackable Passphrase

January 15, 2019

Passphrases are more secure than traditional passwords against common hacking techniques, but are easier to create and to remember. Learn how you can create a passphrase that takes over 330 billion years to crack.

Hand holding a smartphone that says

Stop Email Hackers with Google 2-Step

December 10, 2018

Turn on Google 2-Step Verification for your Biola email account right away. 2-Step is your best defense against phishing attacks. It takes about a minute to set up.

A fishing lure. Don't bite!

How to Avoid Getting Phished

November 9, 2018

Last year, nearly 500 Biolans were phished in a single day. You are a target for phishing attacks. Learn how to recognize phishing attacks, to make sure that you don't take the bait.

Social media app icons

3 Easy Ways to Protect your Personal Information

October 15, 2018

In honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here are 3 easy things you can do right now to protect your personal information and stay safe online.

Flour Fountain at Biola

Equipping Biola Against Cyber Threats

October 1, 2018

Cyber attacks happen every day, and any one of us could be the point of a Biola data breach. In conjunction with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Biola's Information Security team is launching a new information security program for the university.

2 Factor Authentication

Protecting Your Account with 2-Factor Authentication

October 1, 2018

Learn how to use 2-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security on top of your password. Use 2FA to keep other people out of your account, and set up the best defense against phishing attacks.