Information Security: Protect yourself during election season

October 20, 2020

A message from Vice President for Information Technology & CIO Mur Muchane:

Dear Wake Forest community,

With early voting currently taking place in Forsyth County and the national election right around the corner, there may be a spike in attempts to disrupt our community and fan the flames of discord. According to national law enforcement officials, these attempts are most likely to occur through electronic means. Email messages sent to individuals and groups are the most difficult to guard against.

Our systems work to filter emails containing viruses and malware, but the threat landscape is constantly evolving. Be cautious when opening attachments or links sent to you by email. In particular, ensure the email has been sent from an address you recognize.

Please review the Security Essentials page of the Information Systems website to protect your data, your account and your identity. In addition, zoom bombings remain a risk on college campuses. Be sure to follow the privacy and security practices for teleconferencing to secure your online meetings.

While our information security systems help protect us from those attempting to harm us through technical means, our systems do not filter emails for content. Should you receive an email with threatening or offensive language, please follow the steps outlined in the policy for targeted biased, intimidating or harassing communications.

As we work together to protect ourselves and our community, I will remind you of the many sources of emotional support available to us, including the University Counseling Center (336.758.5273), the Chaplain’s Office (336.758.5210) and the Employee Assistance Program (336.716.5493).

If you have questions concerning this message or need assistance, please contact Information Security at infosec@wfu.edu.

Thank you for your heightened vigilance.