By Dr. Kellep Charles, Professor of Practice, Cybersecurity
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Capitol Technology University’s Cybersecurity Department invites students, faculty, and staff to take action to protect themselves and our campus community. The National Cybersecurity Alliance’s 2026 theme, “Don’t Make It Easy for Them,” encourages everyone to develop consistent habits that make breaching more difficult for cybercriminals.
A Celebration of Cyber Education
For our university, this month also marks an opportunity to celebrate 25 years of cybersecurity education. This milestone reflects a continuing commitment to preparing cybersecurity professionals, supporting hands-on learning, and helping our community understand the importance of digital security.
As part of our anniversary celebration, the department is planning to attend security conferences, hold a Cyber Saturday outreach event, participate in GreyCon 2026, and compete in a Capture the Flag (CTF) event, among other activities. These opportunities will connect learning with practice, encourage collaboration, and introduce more people to cybersecurity. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to watch for department announcements with event details and opportunities to participate.
Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference
Cybersecurity affects everyone who uses email, accesses university or workplace systems, conducts research, shops online, or communicates through social media. Protecting those activities begins with everyday decisions.
A convincing online message might ask you to verify your account, claim a scholarship, accept a job offer, or open a shared document. Before responding, pause and consider whether the request makes sense. A familiar name or university logo alone does not establish that a message is trustworthy.
This October, we encourage every member of the Capitol Tech community to put four essential habits into practice:
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Use strong passwords and password managers. Create a long, unique password for each account. A password manager can help you generate and store passwords securely, reducing the temptation to reuse them.
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Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever it is available, particularly for email, university accounts, and financial services. Never share verification codes or approve an authentication request you did not initiate.
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Recognize and report scams. Be cautious of unexpected attachments, urgent payment requests, and messages asking for passwords or personal information. Verify unusual requests through a separate, trusted communication channel, and report suspicious activity through the university’s established IT support process.
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Update your software. Keep operating systems, browsers, applications, and mobile devices current. Enable automatic updates where appropriate, and restart devices when needed to complete installation.
These habits are central to the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s awareness campaign and provide a practical starting point for safer online behavior.
Protecting Our Campus Starts with Each of Us
At Capitol Technology University, cybersecurity awareness supports our academic mission. Students can help protect coursework and personal accounts. Faculty can safeguard research and instructional materials. Staff can protect the information and systems that support university operations.
We also encourage everyone to follow university guidance when using artificial intelligence tools. Before entering information into an AI service, consider whether it includes student records, personal information, confidential research, or other sensitive university data. When unsure, seek guidance before uploading or sharing it.
You do not need to be a cybersecurity specialist to contribute. Asking a question about an unusual request, reporting a suspicious message, or helping a classmate secure an account can make a meaningful difference.
A Month of Awareness, A Year of Safer Habits
The Cybersecurity Awareness Month tradition began in 2004, as a partnership between the National Cybersecurity Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It has since grown into a global initiative that helps individuals and organizations protect themselves online. Today, the National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provide ongoing campaign resources and guidance.
As we celebrate 25 years of cybersecurity education at Capitol Technology University, let us carry that commitment into our daily routines. Take a few minutes this month to strengthen your accounts, review your authentication settings, update your devices, and share these tips with someone you know.
This October, join the celebration, build safer habits, and don’t make it easy for cybercriminals.
Learn more by visiting National Cybersecurity Alliance and CISA online.