October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), and Technology Solutions & Services (TS&S) is using the annual observance to help students, faculty and staff build safer digital habits, one practical step at a time.
From protecting personal information to spotting a suspicious message, everyone in the Rice community has a role in keeping the university’s digital environment secure.
Four Weeks, Four Ways to Stay Safer
Throughout October, the TS&S cybersecurity awareness campaign will offer weekly tips focused on common digital risks and practical ways to respond.
Topics will include:
- Identity and access: Learn more about password-less authentication and how to make the most multi-factor authentication (MFA) with Duo.
- Phishing and social engineering: Learn how artificial intelligence is making phishing more convincing and how to spot tactics such as vishing (phishing by voice/call) and smishing (phishing by SMS/text message).
- Secure Sharing: Get tips for securely sharing and storing information with Box and Google Drive.
- Device and Software "Hygiene": Learn how to strengthen the security of the networks and devices we use every day within our digital lives.
Each weekly feature will also include an online quiz, giving participants a chance to test their knowledge and win Rice-branded swag and other prizes.
Put Cybersecurity Skills to the Test
The learning continues beyond the weekly tips with hands-on campus events.
The “Save Sammy the Owl” escape room will challenge teams to solve cybersecurity puzzles and race against the clock to rescue Rice’s mascot from the fictional “Malware Cats.” The event will take place in the Rice Memorial Center (RMC) Miner Lounge on the following dates:
- Thursday, October 8th – 11:00 am – 4:00pm
- Monday, October 19th – 11:00 am – 5:00pm
- Thursday, October 22nd - 11:00 am – 4:00pm
- Monday, October 26th - 11:00 am – 5:00pm
- Thursday, October 29th – 11:00 am – 4:00pm
The Cybersecurity Trivia Game Night hosted by TS&S will be held at the RMC Student Resource Center on Tuesday, October 20th, at 4:00 pm and will offer another chance to put cybersecurity knowledge to the test, compete with colleagues and classmates, and win prizes.
The “Detective Debrief: Data Security in the Age of AI” session will invite participants to investigate four real-world data security incidents involving artificial intelligence. From manipulated prompts to unofficial AI tools, participants will examine what went wrong, identify potential risks and learn practical strategies for protecting Rice data. The interactive session will take place Wednesday, October 28th from 2:00 – 3:00 pm via Zoom.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Cybersecurity awareness is about more than technology. It’s about developing the habits to pause before clicking, verify before sharing and protect information wherever it is accessed.
By participating in NCSAM activities, the Rice community can sharpen those skills while helping create a safer digital environment for learning, research and work. Check out the NCSAM 2026 event calendar for dates, times and details on scheduled events throughout October.