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IT News and Notes

IT News and NotesOctober 2025

October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month shines a spotlight on cyber defense strategies – but these practices matter every single day. Cyber criminals use social engineering, AI-powered scams, and ransomware to compromise our sensitive data and critical systems — and as a user of digital systems at NYCHA, you are one of our most powerful security… Read More October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

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HighlightedIT News and NotesMarch 2025

NYCHA IT Colleagues Among Latest Graduates of NYC Cyber Academy  

On March 5, the New York City Cyber Academy celebrated the newest graduates of a specialized training program designed to bolster the city’s cybersecurity workforce and improve efforts to defend agencies against web-based threats to critical services and infrastructure.   City officials, including Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew Fraser and Chief Information Security Officer Kelly Moan,… Read More NYCHA IT Colleagues Among Latest Graduates of NYC Cyber Academy  

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IT News and NotesOctober 2024

October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we will focus on three simple actions – STOP, LOOK, and THINK – to stay vigilant and secure.  According to the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation’s Cyber Command, 38 percent of City employees regularly demonstrate risky behavior during their regularly held phishing simulations. To reduce these risks, please follow these… Read More October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

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August 2024HighlightedIT News and Notes

New and Improved Self-Service Kiosks

Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency  In every NYCHA property management office across the city sits a tool that helps residents interact with essential Authority services: Self-Service Kiosks. To make it even easier for residents to access NYCHA’s online services, the kiosks were upgraded with additional features.   From paying rent and submitting work orders to completing annual… Read More New and Improved Self-Service Kiosks

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Exceptional ColleaguesIT News and NotesJanuary 2024

NYCHA Technology Leaders Honored at GovTech 2023

NYCHA’s Information Technology team was well represented at the most recent iteration of the Digital New York City Technology Forum (or as participants call it, “GovTech”), held at the New York Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge this past November. GovTech is an annual conference which brings together tech-focused public-sector professionals and leading industry partners… Read More NYCHA Technology Leaders Honored at GovTech 2023

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IT News and NotesOctober 2023

October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Turns 20!  This October marks the 20th year of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The campaign is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure web users have the resources they need to stay safe and secure online. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, some key… Read More October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

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HighlightedIT News and NotesJune 2023

NYCHA Rolls Out New IT Initiative to Improve Customer Service  

Management offices across the five boroughs will soon experience a reduction in the amount of time they have to wait for their information technology (IT)-related challenges to be resolved, thanks to a new “Neighborhood IT” initiative launched in March.   Led by Kim Maxwell (formerly senior driver of NYCHA’s Digital Van), technicians from the new… Read More NYCHA Rolls Out New IT Initiative to Improve Customer Service  

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IT News and NotesOctober 2022

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

See Yourself in Cyber This year’s campaign theme – “See Yourself in Cyber” – demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really about people. No matter what role you play – as an individual or consumer – take basic steps to protect your online information and privacy. You can do your part by reporting… Read More October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

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April 2022IT News and NotesNews to Use

Free Internet Installed at 3 NYCHA Developments

On March 26, three Manhattan NYCHA developments – Riis, Wald, and Baruch Houses – celebrated the launch of free internet service for residents provided by Flume Internet. The initiative is part of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices. ACP seeks to ensure that… Read More Free Internet Installed at 3 NYCHA Developments

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IT News and NotesMarch 2022NYCHA Leadership

NYCHA’s Chief Information Officer Talks About Our Tech

NYCHA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Patti Bayross recently participated in City & State’s 2022 Digital New York Summit, which brought together technology and information leaders for thought-provoking conversations about their work. Ms. Bayross was part of a panel titled “Using Technology to Impact our Communities,” which provided her the opportunity to present… Read More NYCHA’s Chief Information Officer Talks About Our Tech

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IT News and NotesSeptember 2021

Low-Cost Internet Installed at 3 NYCHA Developments

On September 3, NYCHA celebrated one of the first major expansions of free and low-cost internet service options outlined under the City’s Internet Master Plan for Universal Broadband, with a back-to-school giveaway and ribbon-cutting event at NYCHA’s Atlantic Terminal Houses in Brooklyn. Released in January 2020, the Internet Master Plan for Universal Broadband was rapidly… Read More Low-Cost Internet Installed at 3 NYCHA Developments

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IT News and NotesSeptember 2021

Free Wi-Fi for Polo Grounds Residents

On September 1, NYCHA launched a free Wi-Fi program in the common areas of Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem. Through this new pilot program, NYCHA provides free Wi-Fi access to residents in the courtyards, parks, and other outside areas of the development. The Wi-Fi service is also available in the resident association and property management… Read More Free Wi-Fi for Polo Grounds Residents

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April 2020COVID-19IT News and Notes

Beware of COVID-19 Phishing Scams

Stay Cyber Safe The FBI issued a warning about phishing campaigns that use government checks as lures. Look out for phishing emails that ask you to verify your personal information in order to receive a check from the government. Government agencies will not send emails asking for your private information in order to send you money. The FBI… Read More Beware of COVID-19 Phishing Scams

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February 2019HighlightedIT News and Notes

NextGen 2019: Communication & Collaboration

As part of the NextGen Office initiative, NYCHA’s IT Department continues to improve the technology available at development offices to help staff work more efficiently. Below are some programs that will launch this year; each involves virtual training, help desk support, and, in some cases, on-site training. NextGen Smart Screens: A 55-inch, interactive touch screen… Read More NextGen 2019: Communication & Collaboration

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IT News and NotesOctober 2018

October Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

NYCHA is joining with the Department of Homeland Security to raise cybersecurity awareness for the 15th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Cybersecurity is our shared responsibility and we all must work together to improve our nation’s cybersecurity.” Be on the lookout for NYCHA’s new Cyber Awareness Training program, courtesy of the… Read More October Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

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IT News and NotesNovember 2017

Think Before You Click

Early this month, a NYCHA employee received a suspicious email and contacted the NYCHA Information Security Hotline at (212) 306-8006. Here’s why the email looked suspicious: The email looked like it came from Dropbox, but there were some unusual markings on the letters ‘r’ and ‘x.’ The employee did not recognize the sender: jandrews@andrewsconverting.com The… Read More Think Before You Click

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IT News and NotesOctober 2017

Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tips of the Week

As National Cyber Security Awareness Month comes to a close, here are the final tips of the week, as well as information about a valuable scholarship opportunity for current college students: Tips of the Week: Share with Care & Keep a Clean Machine Share with care. Think before posting about yourself and others online. Once… Read More Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tips of the Week

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IT News and NotesOctober 2017

Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tip of the Week

How much do your “smart” devices know about you? These days our cars, fitness trackers, refrigerators, thermostats, and coffee makers can be connected to the internet and controlled through mobile apps. While “smart” technologies make our lives easier, they present new security risks. Limited privacy controls on internet-connected devices and apps may leave sensitive personal… Read More Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tip of the Week

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IT News and NotesOctober 2017

Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tip of the Week

In today’s digital world, IT professionals aren’t the only ones responsible for protecting a company from cyber criminals. Everyone in an organization shares a responsibility to be vigilant about online threats. To help keep NYCHA safe and secure: Beware of phishing emails. Do not open emails, links, or attachments from strangers. Phishing attacks use email… Read More Cyber Security Awareness Month: Tip of the Week

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IT News and NotesOctober 2017

Cyber Security Awareness Month Tip of the Week

One small step can make a big difference in your online security. Each week during National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we’re sharing a quick and easy tip that you can try today to better protect yourself online. Tip of the Week: Lock down your login. Usernames and passwords are often not enough to protect important… Read More Cyber Security Awareness Month Tip of the Week

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August 2017IT News and Notes

Staying Ahead of the Risks

Over the next year, NYCHA’s IT Department will roll out a state-of-the-art security awareness training program proven to reduce phishing attacks and malware infections by up to 90 percent. Through quizzes, mock phishing attacks, and interactive training, employees will learn how to better handle this growing menace to help keep NYCHA, and themselves, more secure.… Read More Staying Ahead of the Risks

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IT News and NotesJuly 2017

Know What to Do

We all share the responsibility for safeguarding NYCHA from phishing and other cyber-attacks. Do you know what to do to prevent a malicious attack from infecting your computer and other devices? Test your readiness to handle a phishing or ransomware emergency by taking a quiz via the launch button below. [cap_iframe_loader type=’iframe’ width=’100%’ height=’600′ frameborder=’0′… Read More Know What to Do

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April 2017IT News and Notes

Protecting the Privacy of Our Customers

Some NYCHA employees handle documents or files that contain personally identifiable information (PII) about applicants, residents, Section 8 participants, and other customers. If this information is lost, compromised, or disclosed without the individual’s permission, it could be used to substantially harm their reputations, violate their privacy, and put their assets at risk. Federal law requires… Read More Protecting the Privacy of Our Customers

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IT News and NotesMarch 2017

Security Concerns for Collaborative Tools

Many employees have questions about how the use of collaborative tools at work affects security concerns. Here are some answers. Q: Why can’t I use Google Drive, Box.com and other public collaborative tools to store and share NYCHA documents? A: NYCHA is a recipient of federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban… Read More Security Concerns for Collaborative Tools

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December 2016IT News and Notes

Be Aware of “Whaling”

What is “whaling?” Whaling is a clever type of phishing scam that typically involves a hacker pretending to be a senior executive. The perpetrators will usually ask the intended victim to take some action, such as moving money, making a payment, or transferring documents containing personally identifiable information. Whaling attacks are a form of corrupt… Read More Be Aware of “Whaling”

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