Protecting our digital future: Highlights from 2025 Cyber Security Awareness Month
Published: November 24, 2025
This October, U of T joined the national conversation on staying cyber safe. The message? Start strong today to stay secure tomorrow.
From the Government of Canada’s call for smart cyber habits to the National Cybersecurity Alliance campaign’s practical tips, the month delivered resources to help you and your family fight cybercrime.
Closer to home, Information Security teamed up with the FIPP Office, Medicine, Engineering and UTM’s Information and Instructional Technology Services (I&ITS) to share stories, tools and behind-the-scenes insights. From quick tips to big-picture strategies, we showed how small actions can make a big difference in keeping our digital campus safe.
Here are some campaign highlights.
Cyber security pop-up: Fun, games and smarter habits
The month kicked off on Oct. 1 with the Information Security booth at the Bahen Centre Atrium. Members of the Information Security team met with more than 100 students, faculty and staff from across the tri-campus community to discuss the field, share best practices and offer safety tips.
Interactive games, prizes and giveaways helped spark conversations about everyday security habits. Students tested their phishing detection skills while staff learned how to build stronger passphrases and protect sensitive data.
The booth drew steady interest throughout the day and reflected a growing enthusiasm for learning about cyber safety in approachable, hands-on ways.
Asset or adversary? AI and cyber security in 2025 and beyond
AI is rewriting the rules of cyber security, acting as both hero and potential villain. In a lively virtual panel, CIO Donna Kidwell led experts David Lie, Patricia Thaine and Mickey Mancenido through a fast-paced look at AI’s double-edged role.
From digital trust to ethical guardrails, the group tackled big questions:
- Can AI accelerate security without compromising privacy?
- How do we “trust but verify” in an automated world?
Lie stressed that guardrails are essential because AI moves fast. Thaine noted that early guardrails can act as accelerators. Mancenido reminded us that innovation needs oversight.
The takeaway? Collaboration, education and responsible design are the keys to securing an AI-driven future.
Access the full discussion in the embedded video.
Trivia meets cyber smarts
The mid-month trivia challenge turned cyber security into a game, and the U of T community showed up ready to win. Hosted by Laurie Harrison and Marden Paul, the event mixed rapid-fire questions on online privacy, emerging threats and digital safety with a playful sports-announcer vibe.
Seventy-one participants competed solo and in teams, cheering one another on as they raced for the top spots. Prizes went to the top three but everyone walked away with something better: sharper cyber skills.
“It was a fun way to learn and connect,” said Harrison. “People left smiling and a little more cyber smart.”
Proof that awareness can be exciting, educational and unforgettable!
Cyber security under pressure
Twenty one U of T faculty and staff stepped into the hot seat during a tri-campus tabletop exercise, tackling a simulated ransomware attack on a fictional hotel chain. Acting as an executive crisis team, participants learned how fast incidents can spiral and why clear communication and collaboration matter most.
“It gave participants a sense of the real-world pressures organizations face during an attack,” said Raffay Hussaini, Information Security and Data Asset Risk Analyst, Information & Instructional Technology Services, U of T Mississauga.
With an impressive 83 per cent performance score, the exercise proved that hands-on training builds resilience and keeps U of T cyber ready.
Continuing the momentum
Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025 showed how strong cyber safe habits today can prepare our community for online threats and whatever comes next. By staying curious, informed and proactive, we can protect our digital future together.
