Mount Saint Mary College Cybersecurity superstars recently helped their fellow students stay safe online. Left to right: Anthony Dziedzic of Washingtonvle, N.Y.; Xavier Rodriguez of Hackettstown, N.J.; Jameson Suraci of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; and Kyle Macaluso of New Windsor, N.Y.
In celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, four Mount Saint Mary College students revealed the best practices on how to stay safe online for their fellow students.
Stationed in the high-traffic Aquinas Hall Atrium on campus, Cybersecurity majors Anthony Dziedzic of Washingtonville, N.Y.; Kyle Macaluso of New Windsor, N.Y.; Xavier Rodriguez of Hackettstown, N.J.; and Jameson Suraci of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. answered their peers’ computer security questions and discussed the best ways to ward off hackers.
The event was hosted by the Mount’s Center for Cybersecurity.
The theme of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this year is “Secure Our World,” revolving around four key cybersecurity best practices: Understanding the benefits of using strong passwords and a password manager; turning on multifactor authentication on personal devices and business networks; recognizing and reporting phishing; and installing updates on a regular basis/turning on automated updates.
“Cybersecurity is everyone’s business,” noted Sagar Raina, associate professor of Information Technology. “As an institute of higher education in the Hudson Valley, the Mount has a critical role to play in educating people about cybersecurity. The college’s Center for Cybersecurity, through workshops and boot camps led by expert faculty, will provide effective resources for local businesses, schools, and government organizations in cyber defense education and training.”
The center will also be hosting a pair of free, public talks this month regarding Cybersecurity. First, Tony Cusato, a Business Information Security Officer (BISO) with IBM Corporate, will speak on Tuesday, October 17 at 4 p.m. Then, the college will present a panel of three Mount alumni in the Cybersecurity field titled “A Journey from a Student to a Cybersecurity Professional,” on Thursday, October 19 at 4 p.m. All of the presentations will take place on campus in Aquinas Hall, Room 062. The college is located at 330 Powell Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. For more information on these presentations, visit cyber.msmc.edu
The Mount’s Center for Cybersecurity provides program guidance and oversight to the college’s Cybersecurity major and concentration; brings expert speakers to campus; provides cyber defense resources to the campus and the community; and more. The initiative is maintained by the college’s Mathematics and Information Technology professors and supported by an external advisory board of local and national industry professionals, as well as faculty from the Mount and other institutions.