As we bring National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to a close, I reflect over the past few months and all the work we have accomplished together to advance information and data protection at Georgia Tech.
Data Excellence
Advancing the Data Excellence initiative, we officially brought the first phase of the Endpoint Security Compliance campaign to a close and entered the second phase. Phase 2 highlights include a transition from the Cisco AnyConnect VPN service to the new GlobalProtect VPN service as well as an effort to take full inventory of Institute-owned laptops, tablets, and mobile devices across Tech. More details on these efforts are shared on the Endpoint campaign webpage.
New Chief Information Security Officer
On Oct. 18, we officially welcomed Leo Howell as Tech’s new chief information security officer. Leo’s years of experience in data and cybersecurity -- and his proven record as a leader within higher education -- will bring extensive knowledge to our students, faculty, staff, and Institute partners.
Leo will provide leadership in the development and implementation of an Institute-wide information security and risk management program to ensure that our information assets are strongly protected. He will also be responsible for creating and maintaining a cybersecurity program and leading the cybersecurity team, which manages the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Institute information assets and cybersecurity-related compliance, and help Georgia Tech advance the multi-phase, multi-year Data Excellence initiative.
Cybersecurity Awareness
Cybersecurity awareness has been an ongoing theme this fall, with multiple opportunities to increase awareness and education across the Institute. Georgia Tech employees recently participated in the Fall Cybersecurity Training, followed by the Annual Compliance Training, which is in progress now. Both training courses help us satisfy awareness requirements from the University System of Georgia and encourage employees to adopt practices that safeguard their information and technology from attacks and compromise.
My First Anniversary at Georgia Tech
I would be remiss if I overlooked completing my first full year at Tech in September. It is hard to believe that I began my journey with Georgia Tech a little more than a year ago. In this time, I have developed positive working relationships with so many students, faculty, staff, researchers, and leaders. I appreciate all of your partnership, collaboration, and shared commitment and look forward to all we will do over the next year together.
In the meantime, please be reminded, and remind your fellow Yellow Jackets, that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility and that Internet safety, safe data handling practices, and education are vital to our well-being as a community.
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