Nearly 40 employees are better prepared to help their peers spot and protect against cyber threats. Their readiness follows their participation in the annual cybersecurity liaison event, which was hosted by the Information Security Office on Oct. 20.

Now in its second year, the event is a culmination of the cybersecurity liaison program’s yearlong efforts to foster a strong security culture at UNLV by raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and adopting best practices that strengthen cybersecurity campuswide.

During Homecoming Week, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) participated in the week-long festivities of UNLV’s annual Homecoming celebration, such as the office decorating contest and the Scarlet & Gray Homecoming Parade. This week was filled with spirit and creativity as various members of the department got together and planned ways to represent this year’s “Haunted Homecoming” theme.

Sixty elementary school students were issued Future RebelCards as part of the Early Outreach Day Camp on Oct. 9. The children were able to design their own campus ID cards with help from RebelCard Office staff.

“What is College?” was this Early Outreach Day Camp’s theme. Campers explored their ideas of college and interest in attending UNLV, according to the Early Outreach site.

This October marks the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global effort to raise awareness about the importance of digital security and promote good habits to stay safe online.

While cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, UNLV is helping students, faculty, and staff better protect themselves and the university from hackers with tips and activities this month.

Hundreds of graduating students started planning for graduation day in December, attending Grad Fest on Oct. 11 at the Richard Tam Alumni Center to order caps and gowns, purchase graduation invitations, and learn about services for alumni.

This was the first time the Office of Information Technology participated in Grad Fest. The unit was invited by the Alumni Association to promote IT services and provide support to students who are transitioning to life after UNLV.

UNLV Vice President for Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer Kivanc Oner was a panelist on the “Developing the Workforce in the New Era of Cybersecurity” panel on Oct. 5 at the 2023 Cybersecurity Conference at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

The classroom technology services team in the Office of Information Technology participated in the Educational Technology Collaborative Conference in Los Angeles on the campus of the University of Southern California from Sept. 20 to Sept. 23.

Thousands of new students got a smart start with campus technology during Rebel Ready Week that was held Aug. 21 through Aug. 25. UNLV’s newest event helped incoming first-year students learn about campus and services available to them before kicking off their college experience.

Just in time for the fall semester beginning on Aug. 28, major updates have occurred to some of our popular technology services.

Alethea Inns was recognized by the UNLV Women’s Council for her service to the Health & Safety Task Force, which began in March 2023. The subcommittee is focused on enhancing support for the health and well-being of everyone on campus.

The associate instructional technology support specialist for the office of information technology is already contributing to the task force’s new initiatives. She suggested additional resources for the Employee Assistance Program, trauma-informed approaches for campus, and some fitness group activities.