Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at Digital Technology Solutions (DTS), we are marking it with a focus on the everyday choices that protect our community. Cybersecurity isn’t only about technology; it’s about people, and the decisions we make each time we log in, open an email, or click a link.
According to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), phishing and social engineering remain the most common initial methods attackers use to gain access to critical systems as well as institutional and personal data.
This year’s campaign highlights four small actions that make a big difference:
Four Simple Steps:
- Use strong passwords
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Recognise and report phishing
- Update your software
These practices safeguard not only your work at DCU but also your personal digital life. They are transferable skills that extend into your home and family life, helping you stay safe online everywhere.
“At DCU, cybersecurity is about people as much as technology. By choosing strong passwords, enabling MFA, and thinking before we click, we help protect critical systems, institutional data, and personal information across our community.”
— Camilo do Carmo Pinto, Information Security Manager, DTS.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Webinar Series
To support Cybersecurity Awareness Month, DTS and Learning & Development are hosting a webinar series throughout October, every Wednesday at 11:00 am. Each 30–45 minute session offers expert insight and practical advice, with time for Q&A.
- 1 October – Neil Redmond – Director at PwC; Member of DCU Governing Authority
- Understanding Cybersecurity Awareness: The Role We All Play as the First Line of Defence Against Cyber Threats.
- 8 October – DTS Cybersecurity Team -
- Cybersecurity 101 – The DTS Cybersecurity Team share practical steps and answers your questions about staying safe online.
- 15 October – Valerie Lyons – Board Director and Chief Operations Officer, BH Consulting
- What Influences Our Privacy Decisions.
- 22 October – Ken Sheehan – Director of Operations at Smarttech247
- Threat Intelligence Brief with a Focus on the Education Sector.
- 29 October – Professor Theo Lynn – Professor of Digital Business and Associate Dean for Research at DCUBS
- Stolen: The Hidden Economy of Your Hacked Data.
It often takes just one click to open the door to a major incident, which is why this year’s theme is simple but powerful:
Think Before You Click.
By working together and making small, informed choices, we can protect our digital community, enhance the student experience, support staff development, and ensure resilience and readiness across the university.