Security Awareness for CSU Global

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?"Security Awareness for CSU Global"??discusses the importance of cybersecurity culture in educational institutions, particularly non-technical staff, students, and IT professionals.

The paper emphasizes that cybersecurity awareness is a vital aspect of everyone's daily life and contributes significantly to the overall security posture of an organization. Accordingly, this paper advocates for regular security awareness training that focuses on effectively recognizing and responding to cyber threats. Such efforts, the paper argues, prepare the next generation to navigate a digital landscape fraught with potential dangers.

The research paper further discusses the vital role of IT administrators and the risks associated with system misconfigurations, advocating for advanced security training for these roles. A customized security awareness program for IT administrators can significantly enhance an institution's overall security posture.

This paper proposes implementing the SETA (Security Education, Training, and Awareness) framework to cultivate a culture of security consciousness. This holistic approach ensures all members of an organization understand what threats exist, how to address them, and why these measures are necessary.

The takeaway from this research is clear: cybersecurity is no longer a select few's responsibility; it's every organization member's duty. Investing proactively in security awareness initiatives can significantly mitigate the risk of potential cyber threats and prepare individuals for a secure digital future.

Security Awareness for CSU Global

Clayton Hawsey

Colorado State University Global

ISM527-1: Cyber Security Management

May 21, 2023

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Security Awareness for CSU Global

In our increasingly digitized world, cybersecurity is not just the responsibility of IT professionals—it is a vital aspect of everyone's daily life, including non-technical employees and students. The first line of defense against cyber threats, every individual's awareness and understanding of cybersecurity principles significantly influence an organization's or institution's overall security posture. Training non-technical staff and students on cybersecurity is a critical initial step toward creating a robust, holistic security awareness culture. This training equips individuals with the knowledge to recognize and respond effectively to cyber threats, such as phishing scams or malware attacks, thereby reducing the risk of security breaches. However, in today's world, it is ever so important that not only the cybersecurity professionals receive ample training, but all Information Technology staff receive appropriate and continuous training, much like the students and faculty. Cybersecurity is never a set-it-and-forget practice, and there are no guarantees that yesterday's methods and training will protect organizations from tomorrow's threats. In educational institutions like CSU Global, these efforts have an added benefit: they prepare the next generation to navigate a digital landscape fraught with potential threats, fostering a more secure future for all. ?

Cybersecurity as a Culture

Security awareness training is essential for creating a secure culture within any organization, including CSU Global. For faculty, students, and non-technical employees, cybersecurity awareness is not just about learning a set of rules but about adopting a mindset prioritizing security and privacy at work and home. This process begins with understanding the basic security principles and threats and continues with ongoing, practical education and exercises.

This training aims to empower all individuals within CSU Global to participate actively in their own security rather than feeling like potential victims of cybercrime. To this end, a successful program must consider the organization's unique threats, goals, objectives, audiences, and resources, as well as its culture. It is also important to remember that compliance with regulations is a crucial factor driving security awareness training.

The effectiveness of security awareness training is considerable. It may not eliminate the risk of people clicking on phishing links, but it significantly enhances the organization's resilience in responding to attacks. Moreover, having even a single person report a potential threat could be the difference between a minor incident and a massive breach. CSU Global's first line of defense could be a well-trained team that promptly reports potential threats.

How often should this training occur? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but a combination of annual, monthly, and quarterly training is advised. Annual training can serve as a comprehensive refresher on basic security awareness topics. Monthly bite-sized video topics keep the subject fresh and engaging. Lastly, quarterly games and focused training sessions can assess the team's security knowledge and provide them with more specific skills, such as recognizing phishing attempts. This multi-tiered approach allows CSU Global to continuously reinforce security awareness, making it a part of the daily life and culture of the institution.?

?????????????????????? ?Cybersecurity is an IT Team Effort?

Information Security is paramount to any organization, including educational institutions like CSU Global. The human factor plays a crucial role in ensuring robust cybersecurity measures. Given the rising trend of system and network administrators becoming a prime attack vector for cyber adversaries, it is necessary to go beyond conventional security awareness programs. Implementing a custom-tailored security awareness program targeting systems and network administrators can significantly enhance the overall security posture of CSU Global.?

Understanding the Role of IT Administrators

The IT Administrator role is critical to any organization's operations, including CSU Global. They manage the systems and networks that enable the university to perform its core functions smoothly. However, they are also a prime target for cyber threats due to their access to sensitive information and control over critical systems. Recognizing this fact, there is a need to ensure that IT Administrators receive the necessary specialized security training above and beyond the basic training provided to the non-technical staff.?

Risks of System Misconfigurations and the Need for Advanced Training

Studies and reports show that system misconfigurations have become a leading cause of security breaches. In addition, as IT administrators' roles expand and their responsibilities grow more complex, the likelihood of misconfiguration errors has also increased. Thus, implementing an advanced technical security awareness program for these administrators is crucial to mitigate these risks. ?

Addressing the Training Gap

To address the identified training gap, a short-form, computer-based video training designed for technical staff can be implemented at CSU Global. The program will give them a deeper understanding of security concepts relevant to their roles. This approach has several benefits, including:

1. Upskilling the technical team:?By providing IT administrators with advanced security training, they can take on expanded responsibilities and fill the cybersecurity talent gap.
2. Improving rapport between IT and security staff:?A shared understanding of security issues and strategies can enhance the cooperation between the IT and security teams, fostering a more secure environment.
3. Scaling the security effectiveness of the team:?Short-form, computer-based technical training can efficiently and cost-effectively upskill large IT teams without the need for lengthy, in-person training sessions.?

Implementing Technical Training for IT Administrators at CSU Global

The implementation of a technical security awareness program at CSU Global would involve the following:

1. Assessing current IT administrator skills:?A skills assessment will help identify areas where additional training is needed. This will help customize the training program to meet specific needs.
2. Developing a curriculum:?This step involves defining the topics covered in the training. This could include security hygiene and configuration management, authentication and authorization, security program management, attack mitigation technologies, and other relevant topics.
3. Delivering the training:?The short-form, computer-based video training format will allow IT administrators to access the training at their convenience and pace, minimizing disruption to their work schedule.
4. Monitoring and evaluating the training program:?Regular assessments will gauge the effectiveness of the training and identify areas that need improvement. Feedback from the IT administrators should be actively sought and used to refine the program.?

SETA

SETA stands for Security Education, Training, and Awareness. Organizations widely use this framework to ensure that all employees are adequately equipped to manage cybersecurity threats.

1. Security Education: This is the 'Know-Why.' It is comprehensive and provides employees with a theoretical understanding of security principles, covering areas such as threat landscapes, security controls, management practices, and laws and regulations. The main goal of security education is to instill a clear understanding of the rationale behind security practices.
2. Security Training: This represents the 'Know-How.' It is specific and task-oriented, providing employees with the skills they need to perform their jobs securely. Training can include step-by-step procedures on creating strong passwords, detecting phishing emails, and using security features in the software, among others. The primary aim of security training is to impart practical knowledge on implementing security practices.
3. Security Awareness: This is the 'Know-What.' It ensures that all employees have a foundational understanding of security risks and the importance of security practices. Awareness programs may include informational campaigns, posters, or regular email reminders about security. The main objective of security awareness is to maintain a high-level understanding of what security practices entail among all employees.

In combination, the SETA programs create a security-conscious culture within an organization. By ensuring all employees understand what threats exist, how to address them, and why these measures are necessary, organizations can significantly mitigate the risk of falling victim to security incidents due to human error or a lack of knowledge. In addition, this approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of security from all levels of the organization, from a foundational awareness to practical application and the understanding of the underlying principles.

Conclusion

As we navigate an increasingly interconnected digital world, cybersecurity becomes a responsibility of a select few and a duty for every organization member. At CSU Global, including non-technical employees and students in cybersecurity awareness initiatives and introducing a tailored security awareness program for IT administrators is a necessity rather than an option. Leveraging a computer-based video training program can efficiently upskill the general staff and IT teams, promoting a safer digital environment. We can significantly elevate the university's security posture by fostering a culture where cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility. This proactive investment will not only mitigate the risk of potential cyber threats but also serve as a valuable tool in the university's mission of educating individuals for a digital future.

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References:

Security Awareness Training | SANS Security Awareness. (2023, April 6).?https://www.sans.org/security-awareness-training/

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Friedlander, G. (2023, March 29). What is Security Awareness Training For Employees??Wizer.?https://www.wizer-training.com/basics/what-is-security-awareness-training-for-employees#what-is-security-awareness-training

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Whitman, M. E., & Mattord, H. J. (2018).?Management of Information Security. Cengage Learning.