“Cyber fishing,” more commonly known as “phishing,” is a type of cyberattack where attackers attempt to trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as login credentials, financial details or personal data by posing as a trustworthy entity. The term “phishing” originates from the idea of “fishing” for victims using bait such as fraudulent emails, messages or websites, to lure people into giving up their information.
Cyber Security
Cyber Security is a top priority at CBU, the IT Services Team is constantly working on improvements to ensure online safety for all students and employees. Though CBU takes extraordinary measures to protect the network, it is the responsibility of the entire community to exercise online due diligence and proper cybersecurity etiquette.
For information on cyber security updates, best practices and frequently asked questions. Check out the information below.
Cyber Security Updates
The latest updates from the IT Services team to increase protection:
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint deployment
- A new Password Policy is currently in development
- Working toward the elimination of CBU account shared access
- Information Technology Risk Policy and Governance
- Vendor Cloud Assessment and Cyber Terms and Conditions
- Dark Web Monitoring implementation
Cyber Security Known Issues
Students and employees can visit the new CBU IT portal to find information about active network outages and the latest known issues.
Cyber Security Best Practices
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility; we need to work together to keep each other safe online. Here is a list of the best cybersecurity practices from the IT Services team:
- Create unique passwords and don’t share them
- Be careful what you click; don’t engage with attachments or links from unknown sources
- Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible
- Be aware of social engineering
- Be cautious when connecting to public wifi; avoid it if you can
- Continue learning more about phishing, malware, ransomware, etc.
- Research additional cyber security tips regularly to stay up-to-date
CBU Cyber Awareness Training
In partnership with Terra Nova, CBU offers students and employees cyber awareness training modules. Students and employees can access through the email sent from our IT Services team or by visiting this Terra Nova link.
Contact the IT Service Desk for assistance: 902-563-1123 or email IT_Services@cbu.ca.
Cyber Security FAQs
To spot an email scam, look for these signs:
- Suspicious sender address (slightly altered or unfamiliar domain).
- Urgent or threatening language demanding immediate action.
- Unexpected attachments or links, often leading to untrusted websites.
- Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name.
- Grammatical errors or odd formatting. Always verify the sender and avoid clicking links or downloading attachments without confirming authenticity.
If a user suspects their account has been compromised, they must immediately report it to the IT Services Team by emailing it_services@cbu.ca or calling 902-563-1123.
Any employee who observes suspicious activity on a colleague’s account should report it following the same process.
If you cannot access your CBU email, contact the IT Services Team so they can work with you to regain your access. You can reach them by emailing it_services@cbu.ca or calling 902-563-1123.
Contact the IT Service Team immediately so they can investigate and provide you with next steps. You can reach them by emailing it_services@cbu.ca or calling 902-563-1123.