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Help others learn about cybersecurity, online safety and being a good digital citizen with these lesson plans, classroom materials and other resources.
Every person in the school community has a role in keeping the internet safer and more secure. Creating a cybersecurity awareness campaign will make everyone conscious of the part they play in cybersecurity and ultimately produce a safer and happier school experience.
Nearly everyone on a school campus uses the internet on a daily basis for a variety of reasons. Students use it for homework and social networking; faculty and staff use it to communicate and post lesson plans and grades. Your faculty and staff may also be involved in important research and the development of new intellectual property that need protection.
Evaluate and Update Cybersecurity Plans
- Review acceptable use policies to be sure they are current with all new technologies.
- Create a plan to notify students, faculty and staff in the event of a data breach.
- Incorporate STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips and advice in student handbooks and orientation materials.
- Encourage the president, the dean of students and other administrators to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity when addressing students.
- Offer training to ensure that educators who incorporate social media, blogs and new technologies in class understand the privacy and security implications.
Raise Awareness Among Students
- Post the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips and advice and posters around campus and on your school’s website.
- Write an article on cybersecurity that incorporates the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips and advice for your campus newspaper. You can use information found at staysafeonline.org or stopthinkconnect.org.
- Use social media to disseminate information and encourage students, faculty and staff to learn more about staying safe online. For ideas, like the National Cyber Security Alliance and STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @StaySafeOnline and @STOPTHNKCONNECT.
Teach people on campus to follow these STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips
Keep a clean machine
Having the latest security software, web browser and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.
Protect all devices that connect to the internet
Along with computers, smartphones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.
Plug & scan
“USBs” and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.
Back it up
Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making electronic copies of all important files and storing them safely.
Additional Resources
- ConnectSafely.org has basic guidelines for teens and parents about cyberbullying, sexting, social networking, and more.
- EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association that helps higher education elevate the impact of IT.
- FBI’s Safe Online Surfing (SOS) Internet Challenge is a free, fun, and informative program that promotes cyber citizenship by educating students in third to eighth grades on the essentials of online security. For teachers, the site provides a ready-made curriculum that meets state and federal Internet safety mandates, complete with online testing and a national competition to encourage learning and participation.
- iKeepSafe.org seeks to give parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools which power them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the internet.
- NetSmartz is a safety resource from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators and law enforcement that uses activities to teach internet safety
- OnGuardOnline.gov is the Federal Trade Commission’s main consumer-facing page to educate everyone on staying safe and secure online.