What’s new for SCEA staffers in Term 3 ?
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
Term 3 will herald the beginning of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) across SCEA sites, designed to increase security across all our devices.
Banking institutions and other secure platforms use MFA to ensure that authentication for staff users remains comprehensive at all times.
This can take the form of an extra authentication approval for users, or simply an extra ‘tick-box’ to ensure that you are not a robot!
This MFA rollout begins next week, so today’s communication will allow you to spend the weekend mustering up the patience to exercise Christian love when you are asked to enter your password or credentials for the SECOND time when using your SCEA device at home or the local coffee shop.
Do you have questions about multi-factor authentication (MFA) ?
You will find all of the answers at this link:
Phishing Tests
Midway through Term 3, we will be testing out your knowledge of ‘scam emails’ and ‘phishing’ by making up some fake emails and trying to lure you into clicking on something dubious in your emails.
Please, as always, be vigilant with your emails and only respond to emails from people you know and trust.
If you click on something suspicious that we have created, it may mean that you are sent a training video from SCEA ICT on navigating these issues when they arise.
Forrester Research estimates that 80% of cyber breaches in 2024 involved compromised staff credentials, with phishing at 69%.
Email phishing tests will begin later in Term 3 to increase staff awareness.
Security Operations Centre (SOC)
Later this year, we will seek the support of an SOC to strengthen our cyber protection further.
An SOC is a specialist team of cyber professionals operating 24/7/365 to safeguard all devices from cyberattacks and external interference.
Many of the world’s largest organisations were shut down last week due to issues with their ICT, so protection from external forces is absolutely required in today’s educational institutions.
Since most cybercrime originates from the northern hemisphere, staff can rest easy knowing our devices are protected around the clock, even while we sleep.
In 2024 we have already seen several educational institutions in Perth being ‘attacked’ by external groups which has resulted in the loss of data and an interruption to business proceedings.
Our goal is to get ahead of this and do all we can to ensure that you can continue to serve God through your role at SCEA.
Until our next chat – be vigilant, stay safe and impress your friends with some of the new three-letter acronyms that you have learnt today from this message!
