It’s Cybersecurity Month once again, and this year we are focusing on digital citizenship, the way we conduct ourselves online, and the role each of us plays in creating a safe, respectful, and secure digital community at UCT. Just as good citizenship strengthens society, digital citizenship helps to protect our university’s digital environment.
Throughout October, we will explore what it means to be a responsible digital citizen and your role in creating a safe, respectful, and secure online environment.
Building digital citizenship
Being a responsible digital citizen starts with understanding the impact of your online actions. By protecting your personal accounts, thinking carefully about the information you share, respecting copyright and intellectual property, practicing good communication online, and following UCT’s rules and recommendations, you make small, mindful choices that create a safer environment for everyone.
Personal responsibility and online safety
Each of us plays a role in keeping the UCT community secure. Using strong passwords, setting up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and managing email security all help to protect your data and the wider university network.
Protecting UCT’s data
It’s essential to handle all UCT information with care – from research outputs to administrative records. Protecting this information safeguards individuals, maintains trust, and upholds the integrity of the university. By using approved tools, collaborating safely, and managing access thoughtfully, you can ensure that sensitive data remains safe, and the university’s digital environment stays secure.
Staying alert and reporting threats
It is important to stay alert and respond swiftly to potential security risks. By identifying suspicious activity, reporting concerns promptly, and practicing strong digital habits, we can prevent minor issues from escalating into major threats.
Stay connected this Cybersecurity Month
Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for practical tips and resources, and join the conversation using the hashtags #CSM2025 and #DigitalCitizenship.
Together, we can keep the UCT digital community safe. Play your part by becoming a responsible digital citizen.
Being a responsible digital citizen: A guide to safe online behaviourBeing a responsible digital citizen isn’t just about avoiding mistakes. It's also about making thoughtful and deliberate choices that protect yourself and others. 
| Your personal security toolkit: protecting your accounts and devicesEvery login, every email, and every device you use serves as an entry point into your personal digital space and UCT’s shared digital environment. How you secure your devices and accounts can significantly impact everyone around you. 
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Guardians of UCT data: A comprehensive guide to responsible data stewardshipBeing a guardian means acknowledging the trust placed in you and taking intentional measures to protect the university's most valuable digital assets. This includes using secure platforms, carefully managing permissions, and encrypting sensitive files to maintain the trust of our community. 
| Staying safe together onlineCybersecurity is about everyday actions that keep us all safe. It isn’t just an ICTS or UCT CSIRT issue or an individual responsibility. It’s something we do together. When we stay alert, report suspicious activity, and keep good habits going, we protect UCT’s reputation and safeguard the people whose information we hold. 
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