Welcome to Norse Secure!
Knowing the difference between safe and unsafe websites, phishing and a normal email, malware or a safe link, can be difficult to differentiate even for the most experienced security professional. Tweets, blogs, instant messaging, social networking, email, wiki's, gaming, and other forms of electronic interaction can be fun, exciting, and innovative, but if used without proper knowledge and protection, these can cause damage to your computer, destroy or expose sensitive data, or even expose your own identity.
Throughout our "Norse Secure" site you will find up-to-date information regarding on-line security tips and safety information to help you protect yourself and others while using technology resources. Our Norse Secure Awareness Program offers knowledge and tools to enable our Faculty, Staff, and Students to maintain safety for themselves and others when using computers and the internet. Click the Norse Secure Awareness Program link above for news, tips, guidance and the latest updates from Norse Secure.
Have you encountered a security issue? Please click the link below:
Log In, Click "Log A Request", "Other General Service Request", enter the details and Click "OK"
Anti Virus & Best Practices for Virus Protection
Anti virus tools are important to help safeguard your computer, vital information, and personal data from the daily onslaught of viruses, malware, intrusions, and other forms of cyber threats. All NKU-managed computers are scanned regularly to find and prevent and remove thousands of known threats and occurrences of intrusive content. Updates are deployed automatically by our system maintenance, and scans are scheduled at least once weekly.
Did you know we offer FREE Microsoft Forefront anti virus software for home use? Find specifics here on our Anti-Virus protection for NKU-managed systems, as well as what you can do to keep your home or personal computer safe.
Encryption
Encryption can protect the data stored on your system, and is now recommended for all NKU-managed Windows 7 laptops. For more information click here.
Identity Finder Software
NKU Policy states that personally identifyable information (PII) cannot be stored on unencrypted laptops, USB drives and other unsafe forms of storage. Identity Finder can help you search for sensitive data, discover such things as SSN's, credit card numbers, and other personally identifiable information, which can then be mitigated at your request. To get started with Identity Finder, please call the IT Service Center at x6911 or click here for the Identity Finder Software and Usage Instructions.
Protect Your Computer
Keep your system patched, running anti-virus, lock your system when you step away, and other best practices can be found by clicking the link above.
Protect Yourself Online
Unsafe websites, Phishing, Malware - it is everywhere, but knowing how to stay safe has more to do with your behavior than technology. Do your best by using caution when surfing, using social media sites, or any other online activity. Read more here: http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1045
Protect Important Data
Data, data, everywhere...Responsibility lies within each of us to maintain the security and confidentiality of the information of which we have access and/or control. Find out here how best to store, transmit, and protect data wherever it may reside. Our Norse Secure Data Security Guide will give you important information regarding data security at NKU. Also see our Laptop and Mobile Device Safety Guide for tips on mobile device safety. Use Identity Finder (above) to find and remove sensitive data.
Password Tips, Guidance and Best Practices
Passwords are one of the most important security tools available to us, but often the most misused. We have policies and best practices for frequency of changing your password, use of strong passwords, and we strongly discourage sharing passwords or access codes at any time when using technology resources. Read more and learn about password best practices.
Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
Information Technology Policies, Procedures and Guidelines have been established to help ensure that we all do our part in information and system security. If you use the NKU network, access NKU equipment, or are exposed to any NKU-related data and information, it is your job to know and abide by NKU IT policies and guidelines. Please take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the important policies that are an important part of your use of the network and technology resources at NKU.
Illegal Use of Peer-to-Peer and Copyright Infringements
Northern Kentucky University provides a high speed network and other information technology resources to help you accomplish your educational goals. When you receive your NKU ID and network access, you agreed to abide by the University’s Acceptable Use Policy. More specifically, you agreed not to use University resources for unauthorized duplication, use, or distribution of copyrighted materials, including music and video files. The University considers unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing of copyrighted music and videos to be an inappropriate use of its network resources. Moreover, such activity is illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and exposes you to serious civil and criminal penalties.
Additional resources:
National Stay Safe Campaign: www.staysafeonline.org
Microsoft Best Practices: www.microsoft.com/protect
Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0839.shtm
Educause best practices: http://www.educause.edu/security
Get Safe Online: http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1045
For appropriate media and music download options see the EduCause list of legal alternative sources of online content