October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) and its Center for Security Studies (CSS) proudly champion and celebrate this essential online safety, awareness, and education initiative.
Last October marked 20 years of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year, in recognition of this milestone, we hosted and promoted events that encourage important behaviors and practices we can implement to protect our data online and become more responsible digital citizens in our personal, social, and professional lives. There are many ways to stay secure online, but even taking basic steps can make a huge difference.
Please note: Video recordings of this month's events will be posted to this page soon.
Register for October 2024 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Events
See below for descriptions and registration information for this month's events. We have highlighted UMGC-hosted events as well as relevant events from leading cybersecurity organizations participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024.
How to Attack & Defend Critical Infrastructure Systems
Jesse Varsalone, UMGC collegiate associate professor in cybersecurity technology, will demonstrate how to perform physical attacks against Windows and Linux systems discuss how to defend against these types of attacks. Windows and Linux systems pose a far greater security risk when they are connected to critical infrastructure devices. The presentation will be moderated by Jennifer Hull, administrative coordinator at UMGC's Center for Security Studies.
- Event Date & Time: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 - Noon–1 p.m.
- This event has passed.
AI & Cloud-Based Tools for Cybersecurity
Dr. James Robertson, portfolio director for cyber devops programs at UMGC, looks back on his rich experiences in the areas of AI, Machine Learning, software security, cybersecurity, and more to describe and demonstrate popular cloud-based tools that use AI/ML approaches to securing infrastructure. Emphasis is on automation, notification and alert tools which work to detect and prioritize threats to expedite mitigation. The presentation will be moderated by David Johnson, portfolio director of web and digital design at UMGC with more than 37 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and technological innovation.
- Event Date & Time: Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 - Noon–12:45 p.m.
- This event has passed.
The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act
Detailed data collection by companies has created enormous privacy risks for consumers. Maryland sees this firsthand with thousands of reported breaches impacting residents each year. This data collection has also fueled targeted advertising to children on social media platforms that has been linked to behavioral and other harms. In the absence of national action, Maryland became the fifteenth state to enact a consumer privacy law. That law, the Maryland’s Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA), has been called “the strongest comprehensive privacy law among the states” and a “game changer”. This webinar will provide an overview of Maryland’s new data privacy law and the rights and protections that residents can now claim.
- Event Date & Time: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 - Noon–1 p.m.
- This event has passed.
Unlocking the Power of AI for Mental Health & Resilience
Explore the transformative potential of AI in mental health and resilience, focusing on the cutting-edge application of AI-powered solutions like Elanah. We will delve into how Generative AI, microlearning, and natural language processing are revolutionizing personalized support for individuals, veterans, and communities. Join Josh Otero, founder and chairman of the Warrior GMR Foundation (an organization dedicated to empowering veterans through gaming) to learn how AI can deliver real-time interventions, foster behavioral changes, and build long-term resilience, all while adapting to the evolving needs of users.
- Event Date & Time: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 - 1–2 p.m.
- This event has passed.
A Day in the Life of a Digital Forensics Investigator
Join Craig Porter, a senior account executive with Open Text Inc. with more than 20 years of experience as a special agent with the FBI, who is highly regarded as an expert on computer forensic analysis. Porter will discuss his previous experiences in digital forensics/cyber crime in U.S. federal law enforcement. His presentation will include breaking into the digital forensics law enforcement world, lessons learned, and a question & answer session.
- Event Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 - Noon–1 p.m.
- This event has passed.
