October was all about strengthening our cyber defenses and empowering Buckeyes to stay safe online. Ohio State tapped in to a series of events hosted by the the Big Ten Academic Alliance. The events encouraged user to explore simple, accessible tools like Have I Been Pwned show that protecting yourself doesn’t have to be complicated; small actions can make a big difference in keeping your data safe.
Event Highlights
Ohio State led the way, attracting more participants than any other school at the BTAA-hosted webinars. The events made cybersecurity practical, approachable—and even fun. Events included:
- Level Up Your Cyber Game Show (Oct. 1): A Big Ten-wide competition where participants tested their cyber smarts and learned tips to protect their data.
- BTAA CISO Panel (Oct. 9): Security leaders from across the Big Ten shared strategies for building resilient security cultures in higher ed.
- Scary Cyber Tales (Oct. 22): Real-world stories of phishing and ransomware reminded us to stay alert—and to check whether our data has been exposed using trusted tools like Have I Been Pwned.
- Rachel Tobac: Exploiting Trust (Oct. 29): A live look at how hackers use social engineering—and how awareness can stop them in their tracks.
Key Takeaways
- Think before you click! Most attacks start with one careless click.
- Use strong passwords and MFA for stronger protection.
- Stay updated and back up your data regularly.
Lastly, check if your email has been exposed at haveibeenpwned.com—it’s quick, free, and a great first step in protecting your identity online. Staying safe online is simpler than it seems—small steps every day can make a big difference.