Cybersecurity Awareness Resource Library
The Higher Education Information Security Council is pleased to present this compilation of cybersecurity awareness resources for colleges and universities. We hope that you will find them useful in your efforts to raise awareness within your community. If you would like to contribute additional materials to this library, please contact us.
Getting Started
Use the following resources to get started in establishing or enhancing your institution's security awareness program.
- NCSAM Resource Kit
- Security Awareness Quick Start Guide and Security Awareness Detailed Instruction Manual
- Get involved in the Stop.Think.Connect. awareness campaign.
- Learn about the NCSAM Champion program and find free resources on NCSA's website.
- Discover ready-made content in the Year-Round Campus Security Awareness Campaign.
Higher Education Resources
The resources contained in this section are an effort to compile materials that have been created by colleges and universities for use at individual institutions. It is our hope that you will be able to adapt the materials for use at your institution or that the creativity behind these resources will inspire you to develop your own original materials!
Banners
- University of Connecticut Husky Hunt Banner (2012)
Blogs
Books
- HEISC "Recommended Reading" List (via Pinterest)
- RIT's Cyber Self Defense Reading List (via GoodReads)
Brochures
- American University 4 P's of Security Brochure (2014)
- University of Connecticut Husky Hunt Brochure (2012)
Business Cards
- Purdue University "Security Alert" Cards (2012): These cards are left by the security team while someone is away from their computer, phone, or belongings. The card alerts the user that their behavior put them at risk for someone else to steal their computer or identity. Tips to protect your identity and data are also included.
- University of California, Berkeley "Mobile Phone" Cards (2013): These cards should be printed on paper about the same size as a typical smart phone and handed out as a reminder about device safety and privacy.
- Wellesley College "Security Gnome" Cards (2014): Library and Technology student workers acted as "Security Gnomes." The student workers patrolled the public spaces looking for unattended laptops and mobile devices, and left security alert cards with helpful security resources. When they found someone practicing good physical security for their belongings, they left behind a 3-D printed security gnome.
Campaigns - Online or Print
- Auburn University: Since 2007, Auburn University has created a new NCSAM campaign each October. The first year was influenced by the 2005 IU campaign. Since then, Auburn has developed original themes and artwork every year: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Note: Colleges and universities are welcome to use Auburn's artwork. Please be sure to add the credit line: "Auburn University Office of Information Technology."
- Brown University: BEar AWARE: How safe are you online? (2015)
- Florida State University: Be a Cyberhero! (2015)
- Purdue University: Cybersecurity Awareness for College Students: 7 Things to Do Now (2020)
- Texas A&M University: Each year (since 2013), the Texas A&M Division of Information Technology creates a campus-wideIT security game for NCSAM. Each game is designed to be fun and engaging, while educating students, faculty and staff about how to be safe online: What's Your Status (2013); Fight Back (2014); Aggie LIFE (2015); Football Fever (2016); Keep Tradition Secure (2017); Aggie LIFE (2018).
- Learn more about Texas A&M's annual planning process in the EDUCAUSE Review Security Matters guest blog, "Bridging the Gap Between Students and Security: 7 Steps to Creating a Successful Cybersecurity Campaign."
- University of California Office of the President: 2018 NCSAM Toolkit for the UC Community and archive of the 2016-2017 NCSAM Toolkits for the UC Community Note: You may request editable versions of the posters available on the UCOP website (contact info is listed there), but some images may not be replicated.
- University of Toronto: Information Security Awareness & Education Initiative at U of T (2019)
Digital Messaging Screens
- Valparaiso University campus digital messaging screens (PowerPoint, 2015)
Some campus IT or Information Security departments create their own Facebook page to share updates, provide tips, and connect with users. Here are a few examples.
- Baylor University
- Missouri State University
- RIT
- Stony Brook University
- University of Rochester
- University of South Carolina
Flyers
- Cal Poly Pomona Cyber Security Fair Flyer (2014)
Games & Quizzes
- Florida State University: Be a Cyberhero! Game (2016)
- University of Rochester: Zombie Survival Game (2013)
- University of Toronto: Patch & the Nefarious Code game (2017)
Giveaways & Tchotchkes
- American University reusable coffee/water cup
- Brown University phishing keychain and bags with Swedish fish & tips
- Harvard University security blanket
- Pepperdine University printed anti-phishing information on lens cloths as student give-aways. They used one of the previous student poster contest winners for the design. (2013)
- University of Northern Colorado iPhone Case (2011)
- University of Rochester Scare Fair Security T-Shirt Design: These Halloween-themed shirts are used as give-aways when students play security awareness related games during the annual Scare Fair. (2011)
Movie Screenings
- HEISC is gathering security awareness materials, as well as other information security and privacy resources on our Pinterest boards.
Postcards
- University of California Berkeley: Anti-Phishing Postcards (2013)
- University of Northern Colorado: Zombie-Mobile Device Postcard (2011)
Posters
- Information Security Awareness Poster Contest Winners (2009, 2011, & 2013)
- Florida State University Cyberhero Posters (2016): Cyberdog, Passwords, Phishing E-mails, Wi-Fi, Outdated Apps, Phishing Attacks
- RIT Information Security Awareness Posters (2013)
- University of California Berkeley: Anti-Phishing Posters (2013)
- University of Northern Colorado: Zombie-Mobile Device Poster (2011)
- University of Texas at San Antonio Internet Meme Mini-Posters (2013)
- Valparaiso University Our Shared Responsibility Poster (2015)
Projects
- University of British Columbia Digital Tattoo Project: The goal of the Digital Tattoo project is to share resources to encourage you to think about your presence online, navigate the issues involved in forming and re-forming your digital identity and learn about your rights and responsibilities as a digital citizen.
Table Tents
- University of Northern Colorado: Zombie-Mobile Device Table Tents (2011)
Training & Tutorials
- University of Washington: Online training courses on malware, social media, phishing, mobile devices, passwords, and privacy.
Tumblr
Some campus IT or Information Security departments create their own Twitter page to share updates, provide tips, and connect with users. Here are a few examples. Let @HEISCouncil know if we should follow your campus and be sure to follow our list of HEISC members and partners!
- Baylor University (@BearAware)
- Clemson University (@clemsonoisp)
- MOREnet (@MOREnetSecurity)
- RIT (@RIT_InfoSec)
- Stony Brook University (@SBUDoIT)
- VA Tech (@VT_IT_Security)
Videos
- Information Security Awareness Video Contest Winners (2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, & 2006)
- Cornell University: Essentials to Avoid Online Scams (2015)
- Northern Arizona University: Protect Your Data - Lock Your Computer (2014)
- Portland Community College Videos: How Cyber Secure Are You?, Open House, You've Been Phished, and So Last Year (2016)
- RIT: Practicing Digital Self Defense Lightning Talk (2015)
- Rutgers University RUSecure Videos: Life as a Computer, Safepardy, and Secure vs Insecure
- University of Rochester Information Security YouTube Playlist, including "The Top Ten" movie trailer (2015)
- Utah State University Videos: You Are Your Own Best Defense (2015), Don't Become a Victim (2015), and Don't Be Fooled (2015)
- UVA Responsible Computing Video: When I go to UVa...
Questions or comments? Contact us.
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).