Technology problems and suspicious messages are easier to address when they reach the right team quickly. Whether you receive a questionable email, encounter an unexpected login prompt, or need help with a device or campus technology, use an official ITS support channel rather than trying to resolve the issue on your own. 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder that protecting University information and technology is a shared responsibility. Scams can appear throughout the academic year so students, faculty, and staff should remain alert for messages about jobs, scholarships, account access, payments, or urgent requests that seem unusual or too good to be true. 

Faculty and staff: Complete annual cybersecurity training by November 19 

Earlier this week, faculty and staff should have received an email announcing this year’s mandatory annual cybersecurity training. The brief 15- to 20-minute module, “Gatekeepers: Defenders of Data,” is delivered through KnowBe4 and must be completed by November 19. 

Each participant receives an individual enrollment email with a unique training link. If you expected an invitation but didn’t receive one, contact the ITS Support Center so the team can review your enrollment. Some recently hired employees may not receive this annual assignment because they completed required cybersecurity training as part of onboarding. 

What should you report? 

Contact ITS when you notice a suspicious email, text, login page, multifactor authentication prompt, or other activity involving your Drake account or University technology. You should also submit a request when a technology issue affects your ability to learn, teach, work, or access campus services. 

Why submit a ticket? 

A ticket creates a record of the issue and gives ITS the information needed to route it to the appropriate team. It also supports follow-up and helps identify patterns when multiple people report similar concerns. Submitting a ticket is the best first step, even if you think you know which ITS team should handle the issue. 

What to do when something seems suspicious 

• Pause before clicking a link, opening an attachment, approving a login, or sharing information. 

• Don’t reply to the sender or continue the conversation through any contact information provided in the suspicious message. 

• Preserve useful details, such as the sender, subject line, time received, and a description of what happened. 

• Use the University Service Portal to contact ITS and report it. 

Need ITS help? 

Visit the University Service Portal at https://service.drake.edu or call the ITS Support Center at 515-271-3001 to report a security or technology concern. When in doubt, submit a ticket so ITS can review and route your request.