PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CAMPUS One of the strengths of Indiana is that we bring together a variety of perspectives from the plethora of areas that touch the field of cyber, especially through the colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education throughout our state. Hence the name, “Perspectives from the Campus”, we invite experts – immersed in the pursuit of educating their students – to offer their knowledge for finding solutions in cybersecurity that benefit all Hoosiers. In the latest installment of this series, David Dungan, who serves as the executive director at the Center for Security Services and Cyber Defense at Anderson University, discusses the importance of understanding – and protecting -- your credit score. He also offers some helpful tips and what to look for if you’re contacted by someone representing a credit bureau and what to do if they offer to “fix” or repair your credit. By David Dungan It’s fair to say that when it comes to a number that can have impact on our everyday life, there are, arguably, few things that could be considered more impactful than the three digits that represent our credit score. And given the fact that a credit score represents the likelihood that you’ll repay the cash you borrow, understanding the importance of those scores (from the 3 different credit bureaus) is vital, as it can affect your ability to get a loan, rent an apartment, or purchase a home. In some cases, it can be even used to qualify for employment or to determine your eligibility to purchase an insurance policy. Originally, It was created to represent your credit risk which is composed into a credit score. Scoring ranges can vary but often follow from high being the best. For instance, Equifax scores: - 850-800: Excellent - 799-740: Very