Infographic from the Information Security Division with the assistance of Graphic Design Services outlining our top 10 information security tips:
InfoSec Top 10 Tips (618.63 KB PDF)
All University staff should do the Information Security Essentials course and Data Protection Training.
Both courses are available to students and are strongly recommended.
Information Security Essentials
This gives the basics about the most common kinds of attack, and shows how to protect ourselves from them.
Data Protection Training
Under the University's Data Protection Policy, all staff have responsibility for data protection compliance in their day-to-day work. This course is provided by the University's Data Protection Officer.
Both courses are accessed through the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Learn.
Self-enrolling
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Login to Learn using your username and password.
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Select ‘Course Catalogue’ in the top right corner
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The ‘Search catalogue’ options will load. Enter the course name in the search catalogue section and select ‘Go’. If you aren’t sure what the name of the course is, try ‘Browse Categories’
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Expand the options menu next to the relevant Course ID (you’ll need to hover over it). Select ‘enrol’.
Further information on how to self-enrol onto a Learn Course can be found on the Learn guest and self-enrol course access page.
Learn Guest and Self-enrol course access page
Do the course
- Go back to Learn's main window: by clicking the big red [My Learn] tab.
- You will see that an entry for "Information Security Essentials" has appeared in [My Courses] box. Click on that to get started.
The course is a multi-media training module which will introduce you to the basic things you need to know about security of information, especially while using computers and other Internet devices. It takes about an hour.
Pass the course
At the end there is a test of twenty questions. If you get sixteen of the questions right, you will be able to print out your Pass certificate. You can take the test as many times as you like. Only your latest attempt will be stored.
About LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is an online skills development service offering an extensive library of high quality video courses in digital, technology, creative and business skills.
The University currently has a campus-wide licence for the service. This enables students and staff to access to all LinkedIn Learning training materials. General information about registering with, and using LinkedIn Learning in the University is available here.
Information about LinkedIn Learning
Short courses
This is a short collection of relevant videos from LinkedIn Learning that may help you identify common types of attack, software or sites that you need to be able to avoid.
These are suitable for all computer users.
Keeping Information Safe (4m 10s)
Avoiding Scam Artists (4m 55s)
Using Secure Websites (4m 2s)
Internet Safety for Students
This 55 minutes course is suitable for all computer users. It is aimed at American University Students who want to know more about how to set up their computers to be more secure, and how to stay safe on the Internet.
Learning path: become an IT security Specialist
A series of courses has been gathered into a Learning Path for people who want to learn the main kinds of things to become a specialist in IT Security. These courses are highly technical in places and are suitable only for experienced IT practitioners who want to specialise.
MANTRA
MANTRA is a free online course for those who manage digital data as part of their research project. The training materials cover the basics but add a research context, the special requirements that researchers need to know about, and how to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their research through its lifecycle.
Research data service
MANTRA training is provided as part of your responsibilties as a researcher. The research data service has more information on handling research data and the processes for doing so within the University.
Digital Footprint
If somebody Googled you, what would they find? With the help of the Institute for Academic Development you have opportunity to explore and reflect on your own online tracks and traces and understand why your digital footprint is important.
Managing Your Digital Footprint
Developing software securely
The University has launched a "community of practice" focusing specifically on software development. To become a member of this group, engage with and share advice, techniques and best practice with the community of software developers inside The University, click below.
Software development community blog
The OWASP Project is a worldwide not-for-profit charitable organization focused on improving the security of software.
Police Scotland
advice on protecting yourself online
Get safe online
The Get safe online website has a lot of useful information about using computers and Internet devices, whether it's in work, or in your daily life.
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
The NCSC was set up by the Government to help protect national critical services from cyber attacks, manage major incidents, and improve the underlying security of the UK Internet through technological improvement and advice to citizens and organisations.
Information Commissioner's Office
This is the main source of official information about data protection, and what is expected of all citizens when handling personally sensitive information, and the laws related to this.