[IS&T Security-FYI] SFYI Newsletter, November 25, 2014

[Monique Buchanan]

In this issue:

1. The Next Security SIG Lunch: December 18, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
2. MIT is Part of Initiative on Cybersecurity Policy
3. IAP Session on Cybersecurity 101


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1. The Next Security SIG Lunch: December 18, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
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The next Security SIG lunch has been scheduled and we invite you all to join us. What is Security SIG?<http://kb.mit.edu/confluence/x/6VAYCQ>

Topic: OS Hardening Best Practices
When: Thursday, December 18, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Where: Room W92-Back Bay

Food will be served. Please RSVP at security_sig_events at mit.edu<mailto:security_sig_events at mit.edu> so we can get a head count for food.

Hardening of a system often means configuration and fortification of a system. It is the process of securing a system by reducing its surface of vulnerability; the more functions a system fulfills, the larger its vulnerability. Hardening can also be the tightening of security during the design phase and construction of a system. The area of hardening can be vast, and includes ideas such as: least privilege, mandatory access control, role-based access control, a read-only file system, intrusion prevention and detection, firewalls, logging, and more.

You can shape the dialog of this lunch-time meeting by letting us know what you’re most interested in hearing about. Please take this quick 3-question survey<https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C8SVSVY> (links to www.surveymonkey.com<http://www.surveymonkey.com/>) so we can make sure the content of the talk addresses your interests on the topic of OS hardening best practices. Thank you.


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2. MIT is Part of Initiative on Cybersecurity Policy
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MIT will be part of an initiative, sponsored by the Hewlett Foundation, to create a smart, sustainable cybersecurity policy against the growing cyber threats faced by governments, businesses and individuals.

This is the largest-ever commitment to cybersecurity by academic organizations. MIT will be heading the Cyber Policy Initiative (CPI), one of three new academic initiatives, to establish quantitative metrics and qualitative models to help inform policy makers. Stanford University and University of California at Berkeley are the other two academies involved in the effort.

Read the full story at the MIT News site<http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/hewlett-foundation-funds-mit-initiative-cybersecurity-policy-1118>.



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3. IAP Session on Cybersecurity 101
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January 23, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Room: 1-150

Cybersecurity plays a role in everyone’s lives. It can affect family, friends and your colleagues. It is critical to understand how to be safer with today’s online threats.

Roy Wattanasin from MIT Medical is offering an IAP class on cybersecurity<http://student.mit.edu/iap/nc7.html>. This one-hour introductory session helps you to understand more about the topic. Hear from information security professionals about their thoughts and recommendations on these topics: The threat landscape, lifecycle of an attack, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), passwords, and social engineering. Bring your questions and feel free to invite colleagues.

Please contact Roy Wattanasin<mailto:roywatt at mit.edu> for questions. No advance sign-up required.


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Monique Buchanan
IT Security Communications Coordinator
Information Systems & Technology (IS&T)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
http://ist.mit.edu/secure
tel: 617.253.2715








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