Author: Mazen Morrar
Mazen is a student employee with Technology Services.
One of Illinois’ most collaborative security initiatives is the Cybersecurity Champions program. The program brings together staff and faculty with the goal of promoting better cybersecurity awareness and creating a safer online community.
The Cybersecurity Champions program is more than an educational effort. It is a community initiative that helps everyone at Illinois recognize their role in protecting digital spaces. Through outreach, Champions show that cybersecurity does not have to be complicated. Even small steps, like checking a suspicious email or updating a password, can make a big difference.
Any staff or faculty member at Illinois can join. No technical background or prior experience is needed. Cybersecurity Champions will receive swag to share and will also help advocate for cybersecurity within our own work areas.
Voices from the Champions
To better understand how the program works in practice, we spoke with Sandy Bone, senior cybersecurity training specialist at Tech Services, who leads the Cybersecurity Champions program, and Angela Terrall, HR and business manager at The Jeffries Center and a Cybersecurity Champion.
“We wanted to start a program that would allow us to have outreach across campus to promote cybersecurity training and awareness,” Bone said. “Our training program was very young, and we wanted to help promote a cybersecurity culture on campus.”
Terrall first joined the program during a period when campus security breaches and identity theft were on the rise. As a unit security coordinator, she sought training to help improve the security habits of her large staff. “Back when the trainings were first being implemented, I started sending the names of my new hires every semester so they could be sent the trainings,” Terrall said.
Since joining the program, Terrall has learned an important lesson about online safety: “Don’t make assumptions and exceptions. When in doubt, don’t trust it.” The program has also made her more critical of which online sources she trusts and more thoughtful about helping others stay secure. The program also helps her spread cybersecurity awareness in an engaging way. “It gives me ideas for fun ways to keep our staff security-minded,” Terrall said.
Bone said that through leading the Champions program, she has seen how cybersecurity depends on teamwork. “I now understand that cybersecurity is more than just one person following some rules. It involves everyone working to help protect each other.”
Bone’s favorite part of the program is “the community we have built with a common purpose.” She encourages others to join, noting that “the Champions team is a unique community of non-IT professionals who can make a difference in keeping our workplace, family and friends safer online.”
How to get involved
Sign up to be a 2026 Cybersecurity Champion by January 5. The program kicks off in January.
Anyone who wants to promote cybersecurity awareness is encouraged to join or share the opportunity with friends and colleagues. The program is a great way to learn more about online safety, meet others across campus and contribute to something that benefits the entire university.
Together, we can make Illinois a safer place to learn, work and connect.