We all face cybersecurity threats at work, school and home. Cybersecurity training helps you identify and understand threats and familiarize yourself with actions you can take.

The program provides ongoing cybersecurity training for all users that is based on current cybersecurity threats that you might face. We appreciate any feedback about current training options and welcome suggestions regarding future offerings. Please contact securitytraining@uillinois.edu.

Why is cybersecurity important? 

Cybersecurity affects you, whether you use a computer, a tablet or a smartphone (or all) in your work, school or personal life. Cybersecurity is about keeping your technology safe, including networks, data, programs and devices. Cybersecurity helps to protect your data and your devices, like a lock on the front door protects your home.

Am I required to take cybersecurity training? Who is required to take cybersecurity training? 

• University of Illinois System: Required for System Office employees (excluding Extra Help employees).
• University of Illinois Springfield and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Required for all faculty and staff (excluding Extra Help employees and certain other employee classifications).
• Students are not required to take cybersecurity training, but are encouraged to check out the Cybersecurity & You course on eText to learn about job scams, phishing messages, student loan scams and other topics.

Why is cybersecurity training required? 

It is required for most employees by university policy. The Information Security Policy training requirement is stated in the Campus Administrative Manual (for Illinois and System Office) at https://cam.illinois.edu/policies/fo-36/ and at https://www.uis.edu/policy/information-security-policy-university-illinois (for Springfield). Cybersecurity training is not required for students.

How often do I have to take cybersecurity training? 

Required training occurs quarterly. Each training opportunity will feature a new topic and different training. It should take about 20 minutes to complete, and you’ll have three months to complete it.

I don't use a computer in my university work. How do I take cybersecurity training? 

We offer paper-based training sessions every spring, no computer access required. Please contact securitytraining@uillinois.edu if you are interested in these training sessions.

Why is training more than once a year? 

Cybercriminals are constantly changing their tactics. Regular cybersecurity training helps you stay safer as cyber threats evolve.

I get a "Bad Request" error when I try to log in/I can't log in to do training. How do I log in? 

To fix it, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies with these instructions: https://answers.uillinois.edu/135191
Make sure to choose the For all time option.

Which training is required? 

• Training that includes a due date (such as 09-30-2025) in the name is required training. Completion rates are tracked for this training to satisfy audit, policy and other requirements.
• Training that contains the word Optional in the name is not required. You can take (and retake) it as many times as you like. New training modules will be available every three months, so check back in the future for other cybersecurity training.

How do I know what training modules I’ve completed? 

Log in to https://go.uillinois.edu/securitytraining. Each cybersecurity training module that you’ve completed displays with the word “Complete” in the bottom right corner. 

Will I get an email once I’ve completed the training? 

Yes, you will get an email after you have completed required training; however, you will not receive an email if you did any optional training.

The University of Illinois cybersecurity training and awareness team is a part of Technology Services. Please reach out to us at securitytraining@uillinois.edu with any questions or feedback about security training.