Cybersecurity Awareness Month - Information Security Office

Overview:

Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025! The theme for this year is Stay Safe Online. Learn how to protect yourself and SCU against today’s cybersecurity threats with our weekly themes, expert speakers, and exciting giveaways! Throughout the month, we'll cover a range of topics from the latest cybersecurity trends to tips on protecting your personal data.

Below you’ll find information about our special events and activities:

	Special Events:
	October 9th, 11 am - 12 pm \| Click, Apply, Regret: A Scam Survival Story In this eye-opening session, we meet a bright college graduate who was targeted by scammers while job hunting. Follow her story from first contact to recovery. You'll learn how the red flags she recognizes with hindsight are common tactics used in countless other types of scams. Registration required.
	October 22rd, 2 - 4 pm \| Hackers vs Defenders Includes a HackerOne presentation, panel discussion, information about SCU’s new Bug Bounty program, and Q&A.
	October 23rd, 3 - 4 pm \| FBI Speaker Event Join us for an insightful presentation by a speaker from the FBI on the topic of AI and Cybersecurity Threats. Learn how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of cyber threats and what you can do to defend yourself. Limited seating, registration required.
	October 30th, 10 - 11 am \| The Smart Person’s Guide to Getting Duped In this presentation on identifying and avoiding common scams, you'll get into the mindset of the bad guys and learn how they target all of us. We'll examine how to protect your data and what to do if you think you or a loved one is a victim of a scam. Registration required.
	October 8th, 10 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm \| Cybersecurity Table Visit our table outside the Library and test your cybersecurity knowledge. Join us for an interactive spin-the-wheel activity where you can win prizes and learn cybersecurity tips.
	October 23rd, 1 pm - 2 pm \| Cybersecurity Table Visit our table outside the Library and test your cybersecurity knowledge. Join us for an interactive spin-the-wheel activity where you can win prizes and learn cybersecurity tips.
	October 29th, 10 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 2 pm \| Cybersecurity Table Visit our table outside the Library and test your cybersecurity knowledge. Join us for an interactive spin-the-wheel activity where you can win prizes and learn cybersecurity tips.
	October 29th, 3 - 5 pm \| Research & Brew Research & Brew is back! On October 29th we will be holding the second annual event celebrating SCU Researchers & Research Services. Join us for an afternoon of SCU researchers sharing their exciting work and learning about the research services available across campus. And celebrate Oktoberfest!

	Monthly Ongoing Activities:
	Phish-a-Thon Sign up for the Phish-a-Thon in the Week 1 newsletter and participate all month long! You'll receive phishing simulation emails, and the more you catch and report using Google's Report Phishing button, the better your chances to win weekly prizes and the grand prize: our exclusive “Saddle Up for Security” plush Security Bronco prize for the top phishing reporter.
	Cyber Horror Stories Do you have a cybersecurity horror story? Whether you or someone you know fell victim to an online scam or had their identity stolen online, we want to hear your story! Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’ll be collecting real-life horror stories from our community that can help educate others. Selected stories will be featured in our newsletters, and you could win a special prize for sharing!
	Cybersecurity Scavenger Hunt Put your searching skills to the test by solving our cybersecurity scavenger hunt! Participate in our online scavenger hunt to test your clue detection skills by completing three different levels to win. If you successfully complete all three levels, you will be entered into our drawing for our Security Bronco plush toy or other prizes. See our leaderboard here.

Monthly Ongoing Activities:

Phish-a-Thon

Sign up for the Phish-a-Thon in the Week 1 newsletter and participate all month long! You'll receive phishing simulation emails, and the more you catch and report using Google's Report Phishing button, the better your chances to win weekly prizes and the grand prize: our exclusive “Saddle Up for Security” plush Security Bronco prize for the top phishing reporter.

Cyber Horror Stories

Do you have a cybersecurity horror story? Whether you or someone you know fell victim to an online scam or had their identity stolen online, we want to hear your story! Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’ll be collecting real-life horror stories from our community that can help educate others. Selected stories will be featured in our newsletters, and you could win a special prize for sharing!

Cybersecurity Scavenger Hunt

Put your searching skills to the test by solving our cybersecurity scavenger hunt! Participate in our online scavenger hunt to test your clue detection skills by completing three different levels to win. If you successfully complete all three levels, you will be entered into our drawing for our Security Bronco plush toy or other prizes. See our leaderboard here.

	Special Events:
	October 9th, 11 am - 12 pm \| Click, Apply, Regret: A Scam Survival Story In this eye-opening session, we meet a bright college graduate who was targeted by scammers while job hunting. Follow her story from first contact to recovery. You'll learn how the red flags she recognizes with hindsight are common tactics used in countless other types of scams. Registration required.
	October 22rd, 2 - 4 pm \| Hackers vs Defenders Includes a HackerOne presentation, panel discussion, information about SCU’s new Bug Bounty program, and Q&A.
	October 23rd, 3 - 4 pm \| FBI Speaker Event Join us for an insightful presentation by a speaker from the FBI on the topic of AI and Cybersecurity Threats. Learn how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of cyber threats and what you can do to defend yourself. Limited seating, registration required.
	October 30th, 10 - 11 am \| The Smart Person’s Guide to Getting Duped In this presentation on identifying and avoiding common scams, you'll get into the mindset of the bad guys and learn how they target all of us. We'll examine how to protect your data and what to do if you think you or a loved one is a victim of a scam. Registration required.
	October 8th, 10 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm \| Cybersecurity Table Visit our table outside the Library and test your cybersecurity knowledge. Join us for an interactive spin-the-wheel activity where you can win prizes and learn cybersecurity tips.
	October 23rd, 1 pm - 2 pm \| Cybersecurity Table Visit our table outside the Library and test your cybersecurity knowledge. Join us for an interactive spin-the-wheel activity where you can win prizes and learn cybersecurity tips.
	October 29th, 10 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 2 pm \| Cybersecurity Table Visit our table outside the Library and test your cybersecurity knowledge. Join us for an interactive spin-the-wheel activity where you can win prizes and learn cybersecurity tips.
	October 29th, 3 - 5 pm \| Research & Brew Research & Brew is back! On October 29th we will be holding the second annual event celebrating SCU Researchers & Research Services. Join us for an afternoon of SCU researchers sharing their exciting work and learning about the research services available across campus. And celebrate Oktoberfest!