Colleagues,
This edition of Tech Update features news about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an important security update coming to Northeastern email and Microsoft apps, and how to make Canvas courses more inclusive of all learners.
IT support is available around the clock, every day, everywhere you are. Reach out to or visit ITS for all your technology questions and issues.
– M
Marcus P. Robinson
Deputy CIO and Associate Vice President, Engagement and Experience
It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Several Northeastern departments and offices, including the Office of Information Security and Information Technology Services, have planned activities to help keep the university community and data safe and secure. Multiple ways are available for faculty, staff, and students to participate, including two interactive Q&A sessions with faculty from Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Register to join panels of Khoury experts in person and online as they discuss online privacy and security on Wednesday, Oct. 19, and the privacy and security of connected devices on Wednesday, Oct. 26!
Learn more about Cybersecurity Awareness Month at Northeastern
Annual Required Security Awareness Training
Coinciding with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Northeastern assigns the annual Information Security Awareness training program to all faculty, staff, and sponsored account holders as part of efforts to protect institutional and personal data. The two required training modules take 30 minutes total to complete. Members of the university community received their training assignments via email and have until Oct. 31 to complete the modules.
Complete the Security Awareness Training today
Security Updates to Email and Microsoft Apps
An important security change is happening during the month of October that may affect how you access your Northeastern Microsoft 365 (M365) account, including email. This change, which Microsoft is making to enhance account security, supports Northeastern’s ongoing efforts to improve information security and decrease the number of compromised email accounts and phishing emails.
Most members of the Northeastern community, including those who access their email via Outlook in a browser or through the Outlook app on their devices, will see little or no impact beyond an additional prompt to log in or restart their M365 applications. This prompt is expected and safe to click. Users who rely on out-of-date login methods will need to take action to continue accessing Northeastern M365 email and services. Visit the link below for important details about this change and how it may affect you.
Discover how Modern Authentication may impact your account
Supporting All Learners in Canvas
Accessible courses provide equal access to all students, regardless of disability or device type, and set them up for success by removing barriers to learning. Here are some resources to help make Canvas courses more inclusive:
- Register for the live, virtual training Introduction to Creating Inclusive Canvas Courses on Oct. 19 from 12 to 12:50 p.m. ET. Staff from Academic Technologies and the Disability Resource Center will cover steps for making text, video content, and course uploads accessible to all users.
- Take the self-paced training, Universal Design for Learning and Canvas, to learn how to address common teaching challenges to advance equity and inclusion.
- Watch the on-demand training on using tools to create an accessible Canvas course.
Creating Secure Exams in Canvas
It is important for instructors to develop online exams that maximize student integrity and maintain exam security. There are innovative methods that can make the online exam experience a better evaluation of student learning. Here are some great resources:
- Review How do I design an effective online exam that promotes academic integrity?
- If you are using Canvas quizzes, explore How do I promote academic integrity using Canvas Classic Quiz?
Looking for More Tech Updates?
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