Higher education poster & video contest provides new resources for National Cyber Security Awareness Month
The Higher Education Information Security Council (formerly the
EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force), the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), CyberWATCH, and the ResearchChannel have announced ten winners of a computer security awareness poster and video contest as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of and increase computer security at colleges and universities. These new resources, available from ResearchChannel's website http://www.researchchannel.org/securityvideo2009/, can be used in campus security awareness campaigns during student orientation; National Cyber Security Awareness Month http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam, which is held annually in October; and throughout the year.
The short videos and public service announcements use creative storytelling and student actors to demonstrate computer security risks and actions students should take to protect their computers, campus networks, and personal information. The posters cleverly illustrate these same cybersecurity risks that students and others on campus may face.
"This contest is a true testament to the ability of young adults to educate their peers in a creative and compelling way," said Michael Kaiser, Executive Director, NCSA. "NCSA was thrilled to be a part of this effort and commends the Information Security Council for their work to raise cybersecurity awareness among students."
Rodney Petersen, EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity Initiative Director added, "The higher education community is known for its willingness to collaborate and share information. This initiative is another example of how we can work together to solve a common challenge –- promoting awareness on safeguarding our cyber assets."
Dr. Robert J. Spear, CyberWATCH PI and Director, said, "The Information Security Council's leadership has allowed this year's contest, which CyberWATCH initiated as a regional competition, to become national in scope, thereby encouraging many more students and colleges to participate. All gain greater knowledge about the need to be security conscious, and some participants start thinking about information assurance as a career field. All of this, of course, is wonderful."
This year's winners include:
- Cyber Security Awareness, by Nathan Krochmal, Grand Valley State University (Michigan)
- 10 Most Common Passwords, by Lenae Boykin, Texas A&M University
- Z-bay, by Lenae Boykin, Texas A&M University Icon Ninjas, by Jake Tobin, Cabrillo College (California)
- Vanished, Erased, Gone, by Hillary Luvshis & Matt Crescenzo, University of Delaware
- Strong Passwords, by Nicholas Wetzel, Ohio University
- Securing Your Computer Simply, by Chris Wetzel, Ohio Northern University
- Is Your Computer Healthy?, by Jacobus van der Ven, Hamilton College (New York)
- Defend Your Identity, by Clarence Chase, Prince George's Community College (Maryland)
- Poison Apple–Looks Can Be Deceiving, by Kira Espenilla, Mt. San Antonio College (California)
"This contest is a great way to engage students in cybersecurity awareness," said Amy Philipson, ResearchChannel CEO. "ResearchChannel is proud to be able to share these informative and engaging videos with a larger audience through our national cable and satellite channel."
Visit http://www.educause.edu/security to view the Higher Education Information Security Council's extensive security resources. The National Cyber Security Awareness Month resource kit http://www.educause.edu/security/resourcekit helps higher education institutions prepare campus security awareness events each October.
About EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association and the foremost community of IT leaders and professionals committed to advancing higher education. EDUCAUSE programs and services are focused on analysis, advocacy, community building, professional development, and knowledge creation because IT plays a transformative role in higher education. EDUCAUSE supports those who lead, manage, and use information technology through a comprehensive range of resources and activities.
For more information: http://www.educause.edu.
About Internet2
Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. Internet2 brings the U.S. research and academic community together with technology leaders from industry, government and the international community to undertake collaborative efforts that have a fundamental impact on tomorrow's Internet.
For more information: http://www.internet2.edu.
About CyberWATCH
CyberWATCH started as a consortium of higher education institutions, businesses, and government agencies in the Washington D.C./Maryland/Virginia region that is focused on building and maintaining a stronger information security/assurance workforce. CyberWATCH has expanded to twenty nine (29) members across our nation with plans on increasing yet ten fold over the next few years. In addition, CyberWATCH is committed to improving the quality and increasing the awareness of information security/assurance in the education and business communities. Consortium members collaborate to share best practices, methodologies, curricula, course modules and materials, and provide faculty training and support to schools who want to develop an information security/assurance curriculum. CyberWATCH is funded by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
For more information: http://www.cyberwatchcenter.org/.
About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance is a nonprofit organization. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, nonprofit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to empower a digital citizenry to use the Internet securely and safely protecting themselves and the cyber infrastructure. NCSA works to create a culture of cybersecurity and safety through education and awareness activities.
Visit http://www.staysafeonline.org for more information.
About ResearchChannel
ResearchChannel is a consortium of leading research and academic institutions founded as a way to share breakthrough research with the public. Hosted at the University of Washington, remarkable speakers, researchers and scholars present revolutionary thoughts and discoveries through ResearchChannel's online, on-air and mobile distribution platforms. ResearchChannel reaches 38 million homes worldwide via cable, satellite and video-on-demand television. Through numerous online outlets, our audience accesses 8.2 million videos online annually. Viewers from 210 countries visit researchchannel.org to choose from our online library of more than 4,000 programs.
The University of Michigan, the George Mason University and the National Science Foundation are just a few of the world-renowned institutions that participate and whose programs are featured. Topics range from cutting-edge technology and science innovations to fascinating arts and humanities subjects.
For more information: http://www.researchchannel.org.
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PRESS CONTACTS
Rodney Petersen
Government Relations Officer and Director of EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity Initiative EDUCAUSE rpetersen@educause.edu
(202) 331-5368
Erin Lodi
Communications and Public Relations
ResearchChannel
206-543-8907
erinlodi@researchchannel.org
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