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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Pitt Information Technology is observing it by hosting three series of activities. Students, faculty and staff can earn $5 in Panther Funds during Oct. 18-29.

10-session cybersecurity speaker series: #BeCyberSmart

These live webinars, led by University, government and industry cyber-experts, will cover a wide variety of topics related to online crime, cyber abuse and online safety. Sessions are free and open to all. .

10-day cybersecurity challenge: Cybersecurity Horror Story

While the Delta variant has sent the annual student online for a second year, the fun times and prizes remain with Pitt IT’s cybersecurity-themed take on “American Horror Story.” A new episode will be released each weekday featuring a short video or helpful infographic, followed by a few questions to test your cyber-smarts.

Students will earn raffle entries for each challenge they complete. There are 13 prizes with a total value of more than $1,300, including a $500 Amazon gift card. Bonus footage: Complete a brief technology survey at the end to double your entries.

Those who complete the entire challenge earn 20 credits, and the first 1,500 finishers also get $5 in Panther Funds that can be redeemed at participating campus and community merchants.

Security Essentials Training Challenge

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Security Essentials Training Challenge by completing Pitt IT’s cybersecurity training module. The module takes less than an hour and can be paused and restarted anytime.

The first 500 employees who complete the training by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, will receive $5 in Panther Funds to use at any participating ���ǰ��� you want. Think of it as a free coffee break on Pitt IT.

To participate, , go to the Content Library and select the Security Essentials course.

Protect the university, protect yourself

Developing good cybersecurity habits not only protects University systems, accounts and devices, they also protect you — your money, identity and data.

“Cyber-safety is everyone’s responsibility,” says Ollie Green, chief information security officer for Pitt IT. “No technology tool, antivirus app, monitoring system or firewall configuration is as advanced and effective as a vigilant and knowledgeable person.”

Learn even more with Pitt IT’s special .