Cybersecurity is about safeguarding McGill鈥檚 privacy and information.
Protecting University data and creating a cybersafe space for all activities at McGill enables听us to support the McGill community while meeting our legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Each of us has a role to play in meeting this objective. Here are some guidelines and resources to help you adopt cybersecure habits and achieve our goal.听
Protect your identity
- that attempt to steal your personal information.
- Strengthen your Password:听
- 听that is unique to听 your McGill account.
- Use a different password for each platform or system.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your McGill account. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is required on all McGill accounts because it helps verify that you are the person who is signing into your鈥痑ccount. Don鈥檛 delay, enroll now at *New staff are automatically enrolled
Secure your devices
Follow some basic safety tips to keep your devices safe:听
- 听and password-protect to help prevent unauthorized access.
- Apply regular updates:
- whenever possible.
- Install antivirus software:听
- 听
Access McGill's systems safely
- McGill's 听(VPN) allows you to connect to听restricted sites and resources.听Some key systems require VPN to access remotely because they store sensitive information accessible only to authorized users.听
- To learn more about which systems require VPN, see听When to use VPN and Remote Desktop (RDP)听
- Ensure your device is secure听when connecting to McGill remotely (see Secure your devices)
Safeguard McGill's data
Only use McGill-approved storage and collaboration solutions for storing McGill organizational data.听All听software solutions听must comply with the McGill Cloud Directive .
For more information, see听IT Policies, Regulations, Directives & Standards.
Software: considerations
See听McGill's cloud services website听for details, such as:听
- Cloud solution approval process
- Types of data and what can be stored in the cloud听
Protect websites and users' data
If you design or manage a website at McGill, ensure that it is secure and that your visitors' privacy is protected.听
Prevent fraud
Be aware that hackers often study an organization, learn its financial approval processes, and target approvers. Some signs of attempted fraud may include:听
- An urgent email asking you to approve a request without going through the standard process
- The email address of a message appears to be from McGill but is not - see in the IT Knowledge base.
For more information, the following resources are available:听
- 听McGill Procurement Services publishes warnings of possible fraud and contact information for reporting fraudulent activity.
- Government of Canada -
IT Security Awareness: online training and workshops
Learn about key threats and behaviours that create risks to our organization and how to protect against these. Register online through myCourses or request a customized training session for your team.
Report security incidents听
Remain vigilant against cyber threats by staying informed and reporting any suspicious activity to the IT Service Desk.听
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