While National Cybersecurity Month (October) and National Data Privacy Week (late January) seemingly growing in adoption, a couple of more-recent cybersecurity events will hopefully take that next step. AI Fools Week (Naturally Kicking off ‘AI’pril) The good folks over at the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) have created their inaugural artificial intelligence (AI) awareness campaign, fittingly entitled “AI Fools Week”, taking place the Week of March 31 ( https://www.staysafeonline.org/aifools ). NCA even jokingly refers to the month as “AIpril”.  As is often the case, NCA offers a very well-done toolkit of tip sheets, infographics, posters, etc. for those looking to initiate a ‘be safe when using AI” campaign at their institution or place of business. One of the NCA toolkit’s more ironic, but interesting ideas is to leverage a concept dating back to Ancient Greece by creating a shared password (safe word) to combat “deepfake” voicemails, messages, even video calls. The kit suggests safe word systems are worthy for consideration beyond families – such as with fellow employees, close friends, caregivers and groups reliant upon virtual communication. Identity Management Day 2025 Identity Management Day 2025 ( https://www.idsalliance.org/event/identity-management-day-2025 ) will take place immediately after AI Fools Week on April 8. The awareness focus is a free, day-long online conference. The NCA and the Identity Defined Security Alliance play host to the event, which started in 2021. Of course, adhering to safe computing practices in this rapidly changing landscape is a 365-day per year battle (366 during leap years - LOL). Some might consider it impossible to avoid deepfakes for long because so much is beyond the individual’s control – especially in a GenAI world. But the silver lining is any improvement in protection is a positive and the event is geared toward promoting best practices. Higher Education Cybersecurity Digital Magazines Awareness days and weeks are nice and all, but this is also a daily effort where timely, helpful information made available within a few clicks is a vital asset. This is one way digital magazines can make a difference. Higher education might increasingly be operating ‘like a business’, but access to information from those who understand the unique higher education environment remains a plus. Fortunately, higher education cybersecurity professionals can find plenty of education-specific content without cost. It is true the mix of public sector, non-profit and for-profit websites are valuable. But targeted digital magazines also provide critical additional insight. Though not a comprehensive review, three sites appear to be among the leaders in this space. EdTech magazine’s cybersecurity site ( https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/security ), for example, published nine (9) new articles during a recent three-month period, featuring diverse topics like identity and access management (IAM), student BYOD security challenges, AI, and the age-old technical debt implications for security and privacy. Each article places the material into a higher education-centric context. One specific nice feature is the site’s article filtering, which allows readers to deep dive into 14 sub-topics in an instant. Campus Technology magazine has been a friend to the higher education IT community for some 35 years (known as Syllabus from 1988-2004 before adopting its current name). Cybersecurity has been part of its content for multiple decades and its website touts a cybersecurity portal ( https://campustechnology.com/Portals/Cybersecurity.aspx ) full of articles, podcasts, webcasts and whitepapers. The site included 10 articles in a recent 90-day timeframe and these included information about subjects ranging from AI, Educause HECVAT’s release, Jamf’s purchase of Identity Automation, etc. Education Technology Insights ( https://www.educationtechnologyinsights.com ) offers content spanning the education sector, with a focus on “…bringing forth a complete picture of how teachers are using different classroom technologies…”. Although there does not appear to be a cybersecurity-specific part on the site, there is plenty of content found via a general search. There are loads of higher education-focused sites that offer cybersecurity content, but most do not have it as a specific focus area. Inside Higher Ed, University Business, and GovTech are just a few. Of course, there are also many cybersecurity digital magazines that cut across all industries and certain content has implications for the education sector. Bill Balint is the owner of Haven Hill Services LLC, contracted as TriVigil’s Advisory CIO for Education.

Let’s talk about something that most Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) hesitate to discuss, BURNOUT . Cybersecurity is a high-stakes, high-pressure field. The constant barrage of threats, the responsibility of protecting an organization’s digital infrastructure, and the expectation of being on-call 24/7 can take a toll. Burnout among CISOs and security professionals is real, prevalent, and dangerous , not just for individuals but for organizations as well. Burnout can manifest in various ways: self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, struggling with depression, losing the ability to make decisions, or feeling so overwhelmed that you shut down. The risk is even higher during crises, such as a major ransomware attack, where long hours and intense pressure become the norm. The good news? Burnout is preventable. Recognizing the signs early and taking proactive steps can make all the difference. Understanding Burnout in Cybersecurity Burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process. Security professionals often start by feeling stressed and overworked, but over time, that stress turns into chronic exhaustion, cynicism, and decreased effectiveness . The key warning signs include: Constant fatigue despite adequate rest Loss of motivation or feeling disconnected from work Irritability or mood swings with colleagues or family Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or muscle tension A sense of helplessness or feeling like you’re failing If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to take action. Strategies to Prevent and Combat Burnout 1. Take Strategic Breaks Security incidents demand immediate attention, but working under constant stress isn’t sustainable. Taking short breaks throughout the day can help lower stress levels. I personally step away from screens for at least 10 minutes every two hours to give my mind (and eyes) a reset. 2. Find an Outlet Beyond Work Engaging in activities that provide mental relief is essential. For me, that includes reading (both work-related and for pleasure), swimming, shooting, gaming, talking with friends, riding my trike, or going to the movies. Whatever it is for you, sports, music, art, hiking, find something that allows your brain to reset. 3. Use Your Vacation Time (and Actually Unplug!) Many of us accumulate vacation days but hesitate to use them, fearing work will pile up. Use your time off. Fully unplugging, even for a few days, can reset your perspective and prevent burnout from spiraling. 4. Set Realistic Expectations CISOs often feel like they must handle everything themselves. This mindset is a fast track to burnout. Know your limits and delegate where possible. If you have a team, trust them. Security is a team effort, and you don’t have to be a hero every day. 5. Prioritize Physical Health Regular exercise is one of the best tools against stress. Studies show that physical activity boosts serotonin and helps improve cognitive function. Even a short walk or stretching routine can have a profound impact on your mental state. 6. Create a Routine to Reduce Decision Fatigue CISOs make critical decisions every day. Over time, constant decision-making wears down mental resources. Structuring parts of your day, whether it’s a morning routine, meal planning, or even wearing the same style of clothing, can free up brainpower for more important decisions. Top executives, from Steve Jobs to U.S. presidents, rely on routines to reduce decision fatigue. 7. Get Enough Sleep (And Learn to Recognize Fatigue) It sounds simple, but lack of sleep is one of the biggest contributors to burnout. Fatigue affects judgment, reaction time, and emotional resilience. If you’re waking up exhausted, it’s time to reassess your sleep habits. Short naps can also provide quick recovery when needed. 8. Talk About It—Don’t Struggle Alone Burnout thrives in isolation. CISOs are often expected to be strong, resilient, and unshakable, but everyone needs support. Find someone you trust, a friend, colleague, mentor, or therapist—and talk about what you're experiencing. Sometimes, just saying things out loud can bring clarity and solutions. Final Thoughts Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a signal that something needs to change. Recognizing the warning signs and taking proactive steps can prevent long-term damage to both your well-being and your career. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, step back, reset, and reach out. You’re not alone, and help is available. Cybersecurity is a tough job, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your health and happiness.