October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. For Purdue's fourth annual observation, ITaP is offering new options to learn about enhancing data protection and increasing information-security awareness at Purdue.

As part of the month’s events, ITaP will produce a series of “Firewall Chats” and host a speaker from Symantec, a leading antivirus and data-management utility company.

The first two of six “Firewall Chats” will be posted this month to the SecurePurdue Web site. These webcasts are being produced to promote information-security practices and data handling on all Purdue campuses. Two webcasts per month will follow in November and December.

In addition to best practices for handling data, “Firewall Chat” topics will address social networking privacy tips, good password practices and advice on avoiding phishing attempts and scam emails.

The premier ITaP event for Purdue’s recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Fowler Hall in Stewart Center.

John McCumber, strategic programs manager in the public sector group of Symantec, will discuss threats to computer security facing industry. Scott Ksander, Purdue’s chief information security officer, will discuss computer-security threats in a university environment. A security-themed Halloween costume contest will conclude the session.

The session is free and open to the public, with door prizes available.

ITaP is Purdue’s central information technology organization.

For additional information, please visit the SecurePurdue Web site.

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Inquiries or comments: itap@purdue.edu