The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and CYBER.ORG have partnered on a series of cyber safety videos targeted at K-12 students and teachers.
While CYBER.ORG is a cybersecurity workforce development organization that specifically targets K-12 students, CISA and CYBER.ORG stress that these videos are appropriate for all citizens.
“As the nation – from employers to employees and from teachers to students – is faced with new methods of teleworking and distance learning, it is increasingly important for all of us to be aware of some best practices for staying safe online,” said Matt Hartman, acting executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA. “Through collective and collaborative approaches, we can make it harder for malicious cyber actors to impact schools and business. Our partnership with CYBER.ORG is important and helps improve awareness and application of basic, yet sound cybersecurity behaviors and actions.”
CISA and CYBER.ORG have already released five videos that cover basic cybersecurity concepts. To keep the videos engaging and easy to understand, the animated videos are all under three minutes. CISA and CYBER.ORG say the videos encourage viewers to “compare their own practices to those of the characters in the video” and viewers are “encouraged to embrace behaviors that are safe, secure and that can best protect their privacy.” Each video includes a fact sheet of highlights and conversation-starters that can be used in the classroom. In a statement, the organizations said that additional videos will be released in the coming months.
“We are proud to partner with CISA to educate the public on how to stay safe in cyberspace at a time when it is needed most,” said CYBER.ORG Director Kevin Nolten. “With the shift to remote work and online learning, cyber attackers have developed increasingly sophisticated techniques that are dependent on user-driven lapses in security protocols. This educational effort is paramount to combatting outside threats and ensuring that the public has the educational tools to recognize the warning signs.”
