Cybersecurity Awareness Training Becomes Mandatory At Marquette University Starting October 1

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Cybersecurity Awareness Training is now mandatory at Marquette University beginning Oct. 1, marking a major step to strengthen the campus’s defenses against evolving digital threats.

According to the official announcement, the new annual cycle sets consistent expectations for completion while aligning with national best practices.

This change supports a safer learning and working environment for everyone with a university account, balancing convenience with responsibility and offering tools to build smart online habits.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Key Takeaway

• Cybersecurity Awareness Training is required annually starting Oct. 1 to help protect accounts, data, and university systems from today’s most common cyber risks.

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Overview: What This New Requirement Means

Cybersecurity Awareness Training is moving from “recommended” to “required” for the campus community. The university is aligning with national guidance from organizations like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and NIST, which emphasize continuous education as a key defense.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training helps individuals recognize threats such as phishing, account takeovers, and data theft, reducing risk across all departments.

Why Cybersecurity Awareness Training Matters Now

Attacks are more targeted, faster, and increasingly automated. A single click on a malicious link can compromise email, files, and systems.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training gives faculty, staff, and student employees practical skills to spot scams, avoid unsafe behavior, and respond quickly if something seems off. It also promotes a culture where secure habits are part of daily routines.

Timeline and Requirements

The training cycle begins Oct. 1 each year. The institution will share the completion window, reminders, and access instructions via official channels.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training is designed to be flexible and self-paced, so you can complete it in short sessions without disrupting work or study.

For details on this year’s cycle and access links, refer to the university’s official announcement. Cybersecurity Awareness Training content will be refreshed to reflect current threats and university policy updates.

Who Must Complete the Training

As outlined in the announcement, employees and student workers who use university systems are expected to complete Cybersecurity Awareness Training. Affiliates or contractors with university-provisioned accounts may also be included, depending on their access.

If you manage a team, plan ahead to ensure everyone has time to complete Cybersecurity Awareness Training before internal deadlines. Supervisors are encouraged to incorporate the training into onboarding and annual compliance checkpoints.

What the Training Covers

Cybersecurity Awareness Training typically covers core risks and everyday behaviors that reduce the likelihood of incidents.

Topics you’ll learn

• How to identify and report phishing and smishing attempts, with tips aligned to FTC guidance
• Password and passphrase best practices, multi-factor authentication, and account hygiene
• Safe data handling, secure file sharing, and cloud storage practices
• Device and Wi-Fi safety on and off campus, including travel considerations
• Recognizing social engineering and business email compromise patterns

To deepen learning beyond Cybersecurity Awareness Training, explore how attackers use AI to guess credentials in this explainer on how AI can crack your passwords and review practical steps on how to avoid phishing attacks.

How to Prepare and Succeed

Before starting Cybersecurity Awareness Training, make sure your login works with multi-factor authentication and that you can access the training platform.

Schedule a short block of time when you can focus without interruptions, and take notes on steps you want to implement right away.

• Update your password manager and enable MFA on key accounts
• Bookmark the help desk portal for quick support
• Review your department’s data handling rules and secure storage locations

Teams building a defense-in-depth approach can also explore the fundamentals of Zero Trust architecture to complement what’s covered in Cybersecurity Awareness Training.

Compliance, Reminders, and Support

Failure to complete Cybersecurity Awareness Training within the designated window may trigger reminders and, per university policy, could lead to access delays or follow-up actions. The institution aims to be supportive and proactive so that everyone can finish on time.

If you encounter a problem accessing the platform or finishing modules, contact IT Services right away. Accessibility is a priority, and alternative formats for Cybersecurity Awareness Training can be provided when needed.

Additional Resources and Best Practices

For further learning, consult EDUCAUSE cybersecurity resources for higher education, follow active advisories from CISA, and study the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

These sources align with the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Training and provide broader context for campus risk management.

Implications: What This Means for Campus

Benefits:

The move to mandatory Cybersecurity Awareness Training unifies expectations, raises the baseline for safe behavior, and reduces the odds of successful phishing or account compromise.

Consistent training strengthens compliance posture for audits and external obligations while building shared language across departments.

Trade-offs:

Requiring Cybersecurity Awareness Training adds time commitments to busy schedules and may feel repetitive to seasoned users. However, threat tactics change rapidly, and refresher modules help prevent complacency.

The university can minimize friction by keeping modules concise, accessible, and tailored to real campus scenarios.

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• Optery – Remove exposed personal data from people-search sites to reduce social engineering risk.

Conclusion

Marquette’s decision to require Cybersecurity Awareness Training reflects a clear priority: safeguarding people and information in a rapidly changing risk landscape.

With practical, accessible content and a predictable annual schedule, Cybersecurity Awareness Training supports better choices every day, on campus, at home, and on the go.

Commit to completing Cybersecurity Awareness Training early, share what you learn with colleagues, and help build a resilient, security-conscious community.

FAQs

Who is required to complete the training?

• Employees, student workers, and others with university-issued accounts as communicated by the institution.

When does the annual cycle begin?

• Oct. 1, with completion windows and reminders provided by the university.

How long does it take to complete?

• Modules are self-paced and designed to be completed in short sessions.

What topics are covered?

• Phishing, passwords, MFA, data handling, device safety, and reporting suspicious activity.

Where can I get help?

• Contact IT Services or the help desk; accessibility accommodations are available.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a leading Jesuit institution based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, known for academic excellence and a mission rooted in service, leadership, and social justice.

The university emphasizes ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experiential learning that prepares graduates to make a meaningful impact in their communities and professions.

Marquette invests in technology, research, and student support to deliver a modern educational experience while fostering an inclusive, secure digital environment for all.

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