Archives: Bulletins

Information Technology Services (ITS) is observing National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, co-lead by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, is all about doing our part to make sure that our online lives are kept safe and secure! 2020’s overarching theme, “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart” was created to encourage individuals and organizations to protect their part of cyberspace in these tech-fueled times. To learn more about the history, theme, or find resources for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, visit the National Cybersecurity Alliance website.

This year, ITS has multiple events planned for the Mason community to learn about online safety and security. In addition to these events, ITS will provide daily security tips about online safety and security on Twitter. Start following ITS now @GeorgeMasonITS. Engage with us online, share tips and information, and be sure to use #BeCyberSmart in your posts!

Thursday, October 8, 2020

On Thursday, October 8, at 3 p.m. Dr. Jim Jones, a professor in the Volgenau School of Engineering, will speak. Jones has been a cybersecurity and digital forensics practitioner, researcher, and educator for more than 25 years. Working with his students, Jones examines digital clues and information to understand cyber attacks, find malware infections, detect system and device misuse, and to recover lost data. Join the session via Zoom.

 

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

On Wednesday, October 14, at 3 p.m. Brian DeMuth, the CEO of Grimm, a cybersecurity engineering and consulting firm, will speak. Before joining Grimm, DeMuth led advanced cyber services organizations providing solutions to the U.S. Government, the intelligence community, and commercial companies. He has developed and implemented the Department of Defense and military department cyber range programs and developed training modules and programs for cyber warriors. Join the session via Zoom.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

On Tuesday, October 27, from 1 – 3 p.m., the IT Security Office Staff will host and participate in a live Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) using: u/gmu_it_security. If you have questions about IT Security, jump in, and get the answers you need to stay safe online.

 

If you have questions or want more information about the activities, send an email to [email protected].

On Sunday, September 27, 2020, Information Technology Services (ITS) is launching a new Patriot Pass Password Management website (password.gmu.edu). In tandem, the redesign of the Password Management Site will also launch the requirement for current Mason students to enroll in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

Changes to the Password Management Site 

The new Password Management site will have an improved look and feel, including a more modern and user-friendly design, a redesigned navigation to enhance the overall user experience, and responsive design making it optimal on all devices.

2FA for Students  

Effective September 27, when a student’s Patriot Pass Password expires (separate MasonLive Microsoft Passwords), and they go to password.gmu.edu to reset their password, they will be prompted to enroll in Duo 2FA at 2fa.gmu.edu prior to making the change.

Mason uses Duo Security to deliver 2FA, which is a second layer of protection for Mason websites and applications containing student information. Students do not need to wait for their passwords to expire to get 2FA and are encouraged to enroll early.

Note: Blackboard/myMason and MasonLive student email are currently not 2FA enabled. 

For more information and to enroll early, see 2fa.gmu.edu.

Assistance is Available 

• 2FA Information and How-tos
• 2FA Frequently Asked Questions

 Benefits of 2FA with Duo Mobile 

• Protect Mason websites and applications containing student information
• Choose from multiple authentication options (Duo Push is recommended)
• Select “Remember for 7 days” to limit how often you authenticate on your devices
• Use the Duo Mobile App to protect your other personal accounts like Google, Amazon, and social media (https://guide.duo.com/third-party-accounts)

If you need additional details or assistance, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or via email at [email protected].

Like salt and pepper or popcorn and a soda, 2FA and your Patriot Pass Password are #Better2gether.

In response to feedback received from Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) users, Information Technology Services (ITS) is enabling the audio conferencing feature within MS Teams on Friday, August 14. Audio Conferencing provides phone dial-in capabilities when connecting to MS Teams meetings, which can be used instead of a computer’s audio.

Users will receive an email from Microsoft containing the dial-in meeting number and their unique PIN. Audio conferencing PINs are used by meeting organizers to identify that they are the meeting organizer and allow them to start a meeting over the phone. It is recommended that the email from Microsoft not be deleted, but owners can also reset their PIN if forgotten.

Sample of Microsoft Email

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once audio conferencing is enabled, users will see additional information when scheduling an MS Teams meeting, including the phone number and meeting id to use when connecting by phone. This information is added automatically.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or [email protected].