The Role We All Play in Keeping Syracuse Secure
At Syracuse University, we pride ourselves on being a community of innovators, educators, and learners. But in today’s connected world, we’re also all stewards of something incredibly valuable: information. Whether you’re a faculty member managing sensitive research data, a staff member handling student records, or a student logging into campus systems—every one of us plays a role in protecting the University’s digital ecosystem.
Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical issue for IT to handle behind the scenes—it’s a people issue. Most breaches don’t happen because of sophisticated hacking tools, but because of simple, preventable mistakes: clicking a malicious link, reusing a password, or opening an attachment too quickly These small actions can lead to big consequences: data loss, reputational damage, and real financial harm.
It’s not about blame—it’s about staying aware and looking out for one another. When we understand how our daily habits impact security, we can make better decisions. Using strong, unique passwords. Double-checking unexpected messages. Reporting suspicious activity. These are small steps that, when taken together, build a powerful defense.
Our dedicated InfoSec team is constantly working to stay ahead of threats—but the truth is, our strongest defense is you. Every safe login, every cautious click, every report of a phish—these are all victories that keep our campus community safer.
As we take advantage of evolving technologies—like AI and cloud-based collaboration—our ways of teaching, learning, and working continue to change. That’s why your vigilance, your questions, and your care are more important than ever.
Thank you for being part of the solution.
— Christopher Croad
Chief Information Security Officer
Syracuse University