The University IT Security Test for the Academic Year 2024–2025 has been published

The University of Helsinki IT Security Test draws attention to current IT security issues and safe and secure practices. When it’s your turn to take the test, you will be reminded by email and notifications in the Studies Service. The annual short test is mandatory for staff members and all degree students registered as attending. Exchange students and other non-degree students need not take the test – but you can if you want to.

The topical themes of the test this year cover for example the generative artificial intelligence at the University. As before, the test also includes questions about online scams and other basic IT security issues. You can find the up-to-date test instructions and the link to the course area for the current academic year in Studies Service.

When is it my turn to take the test?

The times for taking the IT Security Test have been staggered throughout the academic year. Your deadline is determined by the initial letter of your username: the usernames in the latter part of the alphabet have their turn in the autumn term and the ones in the first part of the alphabet have their turn in the spring term. Your turn is at the same time every year.

You will be notified about your test deadline by email. After receiving the first reminder message, you have two months to take the test. The reminders come from the address noreply@helsinki.fi. In addition to emails, you will also receive notifications of your upcoming deadline in the Studies Service.

If you do not take the test, your user account will be locked

The test takes only about 15 minutes of your time each year. When you receive the first reminders of the upcoming deadline, we recommend that you take the test immediately.

Taking the IT Security Test is part of the obligations of a University username holder. If you do not take the test by the given deadline, your user account will be locked and you will no longer be able to log in to your email or other University services. If this happens, contact IT-Helpdesk to take the test and get your user account unlocked.

Why do I have to take the test?

Cyber incidents targeted at higher education institutions have become more common in Europe in recent years and phishing campaigns, for example, are nowadays a regrettable part of daily life at universities.

The University’s management decided to introduce the IT Security Test to keep University staff and students up-to-date with the basics of information security and give them a regular reminder of good practices. Each and every one of us can, through our own actions, reduce the IT security risks to the University and ensure that the data of the University staff and students remains safe and secure and that research and learning can continue undisturbed.

Learn more

Up-to-date test instructions and a link to the course area | Studies Service

General information on IT security at the University of Helsinki | Flamma