Educational Technology Policy, Research, & Outreach

October is Cyberawareness Month!

Past activities that helped kickoff Cyber Security Day: (Also visit our Cyberawareness Blog)

• Educause's Computer and Network Security Task Force hosted a kickoff event on September 30, 2004 [Read the statement]
• University of Maryland's Project Nethics and OIT promoted "Spring Cleaning: Computers Need It Too!" through print and web based resources and a student awareness event.
• The University of Arizona developed a series of humorous posters to reinforce messages that are designed to prevent identity theft and other consequences of improperly secured computers.
• The Office of Information Technologies at the University of Virginia has published on the topic of developing campus-wide security education and awareness in EDUCAUSE Quarterly [PDF - 57KB] and serves as part of the Virginia Alliance for Secure Computing and Networking (VASCAN) that has compiled a collection of security tools and best practices from Virginia universities.

First held in 2002, the semi-annual National Cyber Security Days are coordinated with daylight savings in April and October in the U.S. and are intended to raise the public's awareness of cybersecurity issues and promote safe online practices. Read on to find out more about National Cyber Security Day:

• Netsmartz, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• Stay Safe Online, National Cyber Security Alliance
• Business Software Alliance
• INFOWorld, By Paul Roberts, IDG News Service, April 05, 2004
• Securityitworld.com, IDG News Service 04/05/2004

While the semi-annual National Cyber Security Days might be a “well kept secret” to some, others like the National Cyber Security Alliance and EDUCAUSE’s Security Task Force encourage and support events, activities and programs that observe the Cyber Security Days, as well as all Cyber awareness initiatives.

Educational Technology Policy, Research, and Outreach feels strongly that 2 days (April 4th and October 31st) are not enough to help the K-20 community’s awareness of cybersecurity issues and promote safe online practices. Therefore, in addition to Maryland’s Math Month participation, it’s time to celebrate and participate in Cyber-awareness month.

This calendar format lists Cyber-awareness activities and resources that can help educators and their students celebrate Cyber-awareness Month in April and Cyber Security Awareness Month in October. ETPRO would like to hear about the great things you do during April and October to promote Cyber-awareness. Schools’ participation may be showcased at the ETPRO website and the C3 Conference..

Educational Technology Policy, Research, and Outreach http://www.edtechpolicy.org dpruitt@umd.edu

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