Cyber Safe

Why It Matters

In our interconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern, it’s a shared responsibility. Every login, click, and piece of data touched by a student, faculty, or staff member contributes to the security of our community.

At CCRI, your online actions leave an audit trail tied directly to your identity. A compromised password, unpatched device, or overlooked phishing attempt doesn’t just risk your personal data it threatens the integrity of the entire college network and everyone’s information.

Each of our 20,000 account holders is an independent, intelligent part of our cybersecurity team. When combined, your vigilance and recognition skills, working in collaboration with CCRI’s advanced technical security tools, form an integrated defense protecting our community. The earlier we can detect an issue, the faster we can contain it — and the safer our college and community members are.

Our 2025 Pillars of Cyber Safety

These four pillars are the foundation of strong cyber hygiene - each supports the others:

Cyber Safety Key Principles
Pillar What It Is Why It's Critical
Recognize & Report Phishing Spot suspicious emails or links and promptly report them Early reporting helps contain potential threats before they spread
Strong, Unique Credentials Use passphrases or password managers; avoid reuse Prevents credential theft and lateral compromise
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Add an extra verification step (app, token, SMS) Blocks unauthorized access even if your password is known
Update, Patch & Backup Keep software, firmware, and apps current; maintain backups Patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers exploit

Get Started - Actions You Can Take Now

  1. Report Suspicious Messages: Use the Report phishing or Phish Alert Button in Outlook or forward suspicious emails to our IT Helpdesk for review.
  2. Enable MFA on All Accounts: We provide step-by-step instructions — start with your CCRI account, then expand to personal accounts.
  3. Audit Your Passwords: Review your login credentials — eliminate repeats and weak password.
  4. Update Devices & Software: Activate automatic updates, patch your OS, apps, and firmware regularly.
  5. Be a Cyber Champion: Remind your peers, become a local point of contact in your department.

FAQs & Resources

Join the Movement

Cybersecurity doesn’t rest at the end of October — it lives in every click, every login, and every decision. Together, we can make CCRI a safer, more resilient digital community.

A Security Aware Community = A Cyber Safe Community

Let’s make every action count!

We Invite You!

We invite every member of the CCRI community to be a part of this collective effort. After all, a security focused  community is a CYBER SAFE community, and we're all in this together.

October Cyber Security Awareness Month 

Week 1 - Recognize and Report Phishing – Don’t Take the Bait

Week 2 – Creating Strong Passwords

Week 3 – Enable Multifactor Authentication - MFA

Week 4 – Secure Software is Updated Software

 

Reference:

U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). "Secure Our World." CISA. Available at Secure Our World - Accessed 20240925.

Reach Out!

Contact the IT Help Desk

Whether you have a simple or complex IT question or you just want to look up a quick answer, we can help. We offer support that ranges from basic information to personal expert support.

Contact Us  

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