Canadian University Cyber Security Awareness Training Case Study

This case study outlines the implementation of a cyber security awareness training program at a Canadian university. The initiative was driven by the need to address the increasing threat of phishing attacks targeting students and staff within the educational sector. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) highlighted the importance of integrating cyber security awareness into the university's culture, particularly given the large number of sensitive information stored on its systems. The program aimed to educate both faculty and students in a non-mandatory training environment, overcoming challenges such as reluctance to participate in simulations. The solution involved launching customizable courses and phishing assessments, leveraging the Terranova Security platform for campaign management and reporting. As a result, the university achieved a 5% increase in participation rates among staff and faculty, and over 42% participation from students, indicating progress towards fostering a culture of cyber security awareness across the campus.