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.

Each year, in conjunction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), UMGC and the CSS support Cybersecurity Awareness Month by hosting informative and engaging speakers and panelists to champion online safety, awareness, and education. 

We have recognized Cybersecurity Awareness Month for more than 20 years. We encourage you to attend events and webinars hosted by UMGC and external organizations that are designed to create a better and safer digital experience. These events feature stories and examples of the common scams that cyber criminals employ, the amount of revenue lost each year as a result, and what you can do to protect yourself and employer from becoming a victim.

Please check back for updated event listings.

Practice Cybersecurity Safety Tips

Along with attending this month’s sessions, we encourage you to practice these cyber safety techniques:

  • Password Security: Create unique passwords that are at least 16 characters in length and contain random letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a password manager to safely store the password on your device.
  • Utilize Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Use an app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Duo, or biometrics (FaceID).
  • Recognize Phishing: Be skeptical of any message from an unknown sender that pushes urgency. Do not click into or react to a suspicious email. Report any message that seems strange to your IT department.
  • Software Updates: Turn on automatic software updates and regularly check that your operating systems, internet browsers, apps, and devices are all up to date. Make sure to restart your system as required after software updates.
 

Cyber Awareness Month 2026 Sessions

See below for descriptions and registration information for this month's sessions, hosted by UMGC and external organizations.

The Smart Person's Guide to Getting Duped

Join one of these sessions to learn how to identify and avoid common scams. You'll get into the mindset of bad actors and learn how they choose their targets. We'll examine how to protect your data and what to do if you think you or a loved one is a victim of a scam.

Level Up Your Cyber Game: Trivia Game Show

Participate in a fast-paced trivia game show hosted by the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Answer rapid-fire questions on topics like strong passwords, MFA, software updates, and phishing scams, and test your knowledge and reaction speed in real time.

Learn About Past Cyber Events at UMGC

Watch a selection of event recordings from previous Cybersecurity Awareness Months or learn about presentations at UMGC: 

Get More Info About Cybersecurity at UMGC