Overview
Technology serves many purposes in the field of education such as to support learning
and to store data. Schools have unique needs and challenges when it comes to safety
and security. All of these factors must be considered when choosing the right digital
safety measures.
Schools often use technology to enhance the educational experience and make learning
more accessible to a diverse range of learners. While leveraging digital resources,
schools have the educational obligation to provide a safe, secure, and supportive
learning environment for students and staff. With social media threats on the rise
all facilities should have resources and programs designed to protect against security
threats inherent to the use of technological tools. Prevention is key when considering
how to mitigate security risks, threats, and emergency situations.
Additionally, the amount of data that educational organizations deal with has grown
exponentially. School districts and charter schools should be invested in keeping
data secure due to the high level of sensitive information being stored. It is wise
to develop a plan for cybersecurity that is reviewed annually.
Awareness
NCSAM, under leadership from the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) (External Web Content), has focused its previous messages around a theme of 'Our Shared Responsibility.'
This year, NCSAM moves to a new overarching theme, 'Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT,'
to help encourage personal accountability and proactive behavior in digital privacy,
security best practices, common cyber threats and cybersecurity careers. NCSAM seeks
to convey messages about online safety and identify opportunities for behavior change
through this year's theme
Own IT
- Never Click and Tell: staying safe on social media
- Update Privacy Settings
- Keep Tabs on Your Apps: best practices for device applications
Secure IT
- Shake Up Your Passphrase Protocol: create strong, unique passphrases
- Double Your Login Protection: turn on multi-factor authentication
- Shop Safe Online
- Play Hard to Get With Strangers: How to spot and avoid phish
Protect IT
- If You Connect, You Must Protect: updating to the latest security software, web browser
and operating systems
- Stay Protected While Connected: Wi-Fi safety
- If You Collect It, Protect It: keeping customer/consumer data and information safe
Your community can get involved in NCSAM through social media and by taking action
on campus.
- Follow the National Cyber Security Alliance on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn to receive the latest online safety news and resource. Share and RT this information
with others.
- Post online safety tips and reminders about NCSAM on your social media networks. Use
the hashtags #BeCyberSmart and #CyberAware.
- Download and share sample social media posts from the NCSAM Resources Library leading up to and throughout the month on social media - download and share them
all or customize them to your needs and interests!
- Become a NCSAM Champion and show your organization or campus' official involvement in the month. It's free
and simple to sign up.
- Post the NCSAM Images and Logos to your campus' external or internal website. You can link to the NCSAM "About" page
to provide more info.
- Host a training for campus faculty and staff on cybersecurity. Check out the Free ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training as a great resource.
- Host a poster/video content for students in which participants create informative
online safety resources. Display the winning entries at school or share them with
your community.
Resources
Advancing Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems: Guidance from the Field
National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH)
Promoting Positive Mental Health in Rural Schools
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC)
Students and Cyber-Security Research
International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS)
