Colleagues,
Welcome to Tech Update, a helpful resource from IT Services delivered to your inbox regularly throughout the year.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. On that theme, this Update offers information on Northeastern’s annual Data Destruction Day (today!), updates about security training and password requirements, and other security tips.
As always, technology support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For assistance, call 617.373.HELP [4357], email help@northeastern.edu, or visit the Tech Service Portal at service.northeastern.edu/tech/.
Cheers!
-M
Marcus P. Robinson,
Associate Vice President, Engagement and Experience
Tech Update: October 18, 2021
Data Destruction Day is Today
Have an old laptop, smartphone, tablet, or even an Echo Dot that you are done with? Don’t throw it out; even purged or reset devices may often still retain personal data. Instead, dispose of it securely and sustainably on Data Destruction Day on the Boston campus. Bring your devices for disposal on Monday, October 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Look for the A1 DATASHRED trucks between Centennial Common and Meserve Hall.
Complete Annual Security Training by October 31
Annual security training helps educate the university community on Northeastern’s data classification program, current security threats, and common security situations. Details on how to complete the annual assignment were sent from the Office of Information Security to all Northeastern faculty, staff, and sponsored account members on October 6 in partnership with the university’s security education partner, Proofpoint. This annual assignment includes two training modules, one on data classification and one on security awareness. Please take 30 minutes to complete it by October 31 >
Update for the Best Features and Security
It’s always best practice to keep the versions of your applications and software current when updates are released. Updates often come with new features or security patches that keep your information and devices safe. Two frequently-used applications are making changes, making it particularly important to stay current with updates.
- Microsoft Teams on iOS
If you’re running iOS 13 or below and the Microsoft Teams app, consider upgrading to iOS 14 or higher as soon as possible. Microsoft is retiring support of the Teams mobile app for the older iOS beginning this month. According to Microsoft, the existing Teams build 3.17.0 will continue to work on iOS 13 devices, but there won’t be any new app updates or downloads from the app store going forward. Learn more about keeping iOS up to date> - Zoom
Update Zoom to version 5.5.0 or higher across all personal devices before November 1 to ensure you receive the latest Zoom features, support, and privacy and security enhancements. Zoom has announced that all software downloads must never be more than nine months behind the current release. The application will start prompting users to update if they fall behind. Learn more about keeping Zoom up to date >
Don’t Pass on Password Update
Passwords act as the first line of defense to protect personal and university-owned devices and information against online threats. To enhance the safety of the entire university community, everyone with a Northeastern account is required to update their passwords to meet new, stronger requirements. Thanks to those who’ve already strengthened and updated their passwords! If you still need to, take a moment to do so before October 29. Learn more about password requirements and updates >
Tips to Keep Teams Meetings Secure
Microsoft Teams offers many options to help organizers better secure their online meetings. For example, organizers can restrict meetings and meeting functions to only the required participants. Through meeting settings, meeting organizers have control over who can:
- enter the meeting,
- bypass the meeting lobby,
- present during the meeting, and
- unmute themselves and share videos.
Learn how to change participant settings for Teams meetings >
Learn How to Maximize Adobe Technologies at the Adobe Max Conference
Faculty, staff, and students have access to Adobe products through Northeastern at no additional cost. This benefit also includes access to Adobe Max, October 26-28; the virtual worldwide conference event, held by Adobe, will offer more than 400 sessions, labs, keynotes, musical performances, special guest appearances…and a sneak peek at what Adobe labs are up to next. Register for Adobe Max >
Stay Safe and Secure All Year Round
Learn more tips to support being cyber smart by joining the Cybersecurity Community at Northeastern. Ask questions, share news updates, or find out more about ways to keep data and identity secure. Recent posts include how to spot phishy job offers; how to delete files so they cannot be recovered; how cybercriminals are using the pandemic to increase ransomware attacks on schools, colleges, and universities; and how to be safe when using social media.
Looking for More Tech Updates?
The Tech Talk community is available 24/7 through Communities at Northeastern. Find announcements, tips, and a place to engage with others about how technology impacts daily life at Northeastern.