It’s Cybersecurity Month, and this year we are focusing on strengthening digital citizenship in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
We're exploring how AI is changing the way we work, study, communicate, and interact online, and what this means for how we protect ourselves, our information and each other. This builds on last year's focus where we highlighted how to create a safe, respectful, and secure online community,
Trust, identity, and AI
We begin by looking at how AI is changing what we see, hear and trust online. From deepfakes and AI-generated content to impersonation and fake identities, it is becoming increasingly important to pause, think critically, and verify information before we trust it, share it, or act on it.
Staying secure against AI-enabled threats
Many cybercriminals seek to exploit our trust. AI is helping them to create phishing, vishing, quishing, and other social engineering attacks that are more convincing and personalised than ever before. We explore how these threats are evolving, and the practical steps you can take to protect your accounts, devices, and digital identity.
Using AI responsibly and protecting UCT information
As AI becomes part of how we work, teach, study, and conduct research, we also need to think carefully about the information we share with these tools. We look at responsible AI use, the risks of sharing sensitive information, and the steps we can take to protect UCT data, research, and intellectual property.
Building a safer digital community
We conclude the month by looking at how to recognise, respond to, and report suspicious activity. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and the choices we make online can help to protect not only ourselves, but the wider UCT community as well.
Stay connected this Cybersecurity Month
Look out for practical tips and guidance, infographics, videos, and resources on the UCT CSIRT website and our social media channels (Facebook, X and LinkedIn). Join the conversation using #CSM2026, #ResponsibleDigitalCitizenship and #SecureAI.
Trust, identity, and responsibility in the age of AI | Smarter security for smarter threats |
Being a responsible digital citizen in an AI-driven world means recognising that something can look, sound, or feel authentic, even though it isn’t genuine. It means pausing to verify information before trusting it, sharing it, or acting on it. 
| The habits that keep us secure have not changed. We simply need to apply them with greater awareness. 
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Protecting UCT's data in the age of AI | Staying safe together |
We work with all kinds of information every day, from student and staff details to research findings, financial information, and intellectual property. AI gives us new ways to work with this information, while also asking us to think more carefully about how we use, share, and protect it. 
| Staying alert and knowing how to respond can help us to protect ourselves and those around us. 
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