Why Cybersecurity Matters for Everyone at UM
October marks Cyber Security Awareness Month, and the University of Manitoba is joining the national push to foster strong cyber habits across the campus. The evolving threat landscape means higher education institutions like UM must continually improve defenses. Cyber safety isn’t the sole responsibility of IT—it’s a shared duty that protects students, staff, and faculty now and for the future.
Cyber threats don’t stand still. Phishing attempts, compromised accounts, and data breaches can disrupt classes, research, and daily operations. By embracing simple, consistent practices, UM community members can make digital life safer, reduce risk, and save time and stress later on. The theme “Get cyber safe – for future you” captures the idea that the actions you take today set you up for a smoother, more secure tomorrow.
UM’s Commitment: Training, Awareness, and Support
UM is implementing programs designed to empower the campus with practical knowledge and tools to safeguard personal and university information, as well as critical digital infrastructure. A core part of this commitment is cybersecurity and privacy awareness training for all faculty, staff, and researchers.
The online training program is delivered via the Microsoft 365 platform (Microsoft Defender). It comprises six modules and takes approximately 45–60 minutes to complete. Completing this program aligns with UM’s goal to cultivate a cyber-aware community where everyone understands best practices and knows how to respond effectively to incidents.
For more information about the training and enrollment, visit the UM intranet page dedicated to Cyber Awareness Training: Cyber Awareness Training.
How to Enroll
If you or your unit would like to enroll in this essential training or you want more details, please contact the IST Service Desk at srvdesk@umanitoba.ca or by phone at 204-474-8600. The service desk can help coordinate enrollment for departments, research groups, and individual staff or faculty members.
Building a Safer Campus, Together
Cybersecurity is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing practice. By engaging with the UM training program and adopting everyday security habits—like using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, recognizing phishing, and safeguarding devices—we contribute to a safer university environment. The collective effort ensures that our academic work, research data, and personal information remain protected today and for future you.
Practical Steps You Can Take Now
- Complete the six-module cybersecurity and privacy training within the Microsoft Defender environment.
- Use unique, strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available.
- Be vigilant for suspicious emails, links, and attachments, and verify requests through official channels.
- Keep software and devices updated to reduce vulnerabilities.
- Share cyber safety habits and resources with colleagues and peers to extend protective practices across the campus.
Conclusion
Get cyber safe – for future you is more than a slogan. It’s a practical call to action for every member of the University of Manitoba community. Through training, awareness, and ongoing support, UM invites you to participate in a safer, more secure academic environment where research and learning thrive with confidence.
