Reminder: Mandatory Cybersecurity Training in October

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In accordance with the memo issued by Chancellor Wrigley concerning the requirement for all USG employees to participate in mandatory cybersecurity awareness training each October, GHC IT has provided the “AY2019 Cybersecurity” training module in D2L. Employee participation is mandatory and GHC will be required to report 100% compliance in November. To access this training:

  • Go to https://highlands.view.usg.edu/ and login with your network credentials.
  • Select the AY2019 Cybersecurity Training course.
  • Read the Announcement from the Chancellor.
  • Click the “Start Here” link on the right side of the window.
  • Click on the “How to Complete this Training” link and read the instructions.
  • Either click the “Start Here” link at the top and then the “October 2019 Cybersecurity Training” link or just click the right arrow on instructions page.
  • Follow the directions on the instructions page to complete the required training.
  • If you get stuck or encounter any issues, please contact IT (rt@highlands.edu)

 

More information:

Georgia colleges and public agencies have been repeatedly impacted by cybersecurity incidents in 2019. The list of incidents provided below helps to underscore the importance of everyone’s participation and shared responsibility in protecting GHC’s systems and data. Any incident involving ransomware or malware could originate from a single employee clicking on a link or opening an attachment in a phishing message and cause major financial and reputational damage to GHC. It is vital that everyone remain informed and vigilant about these threats and scams.

 

Month Agency What happened?
January Macon-Bibb County Websites vandalized by Turkish ‘hacktivists’
March Jackson County Government Ransomware cripples systems; county pays $400,000 in ransom
March Thomas County School Systems Online banking access compromised
April Stone Mountain Police Ransomware disrupted systems for several days
April DeKalb County Ransomware disrupted systems for several days
April Georgia Tech Attackers compromise website and obtain personal information of 1.3 million students and employees, past and present
May City of Cartersville/Bartow County Ransomware cripples systems; unknown/undisclosed amount of money paid for ransom
June GEMA Malware found on systems; GEMA paid third party vendors to remediate and verify safe operations
June Office of the Courts Ransomware cripples systems; unknown/undisclosed amount of money paid to attackers
July Department of Public Safety Ransomware attack crippled network and systems; state police forced to use phones and radio
July Blackshear Police Malware outbreak crippled systems and destroyed data
July City of Lawrenceville Malware outbreak crippled systems and destroyed data
July Henry County Government Malware outbreak crippled systems and destroyed data
July City of Griffin/Spalding County Email compromises  allows scammers to steal over $800,000