Cybersecurity

What is cybersecurity?
ALL:
- Common sense media: https://www.commonsense.org/
STAFF:
- Beware of Phishing Scams
Use caution when opening emails even
those that appear to be from trusted
sources or from senders who ask you
to provide sensitive information –
i.e., share student data or requests. - Encrypt Your Data (both for yourself
and your students) - Secure Your Devices from Physical
Attacks - Use a VPN (Virtual Private
Network) and Multi-Factor
Authentication to provide the greater measure of protection when it is necessary to work
from home or out-of-school setting. - Follow Your School’s Cybersecurity Protocols - Work with your IT staff on system
updates/Acceptable Use Policies
STUDENTS/PARENTS:
- Understanding passwords: It can become a habit, especially in children, to create one
“master password” for all devices and accounts to make them easy to remember. And
while passwords are often controlled and created by parents rather than children, it is
important to ingrain the concept of having unique and complicated passwords for all
accounts and devices to protect information. - The App Store: There are thousands of apps and games that can be accessed through
tablets, computers, and cell phones. However, not all of these are meant for children. Be
sure that content restrictions are set in place through online accounts to ensure that only
kid-friendly content is in the hands of kids. - Monitor who they are talking to regularly. It is 10 p.m. Do you know who your child is
talking to? Whether it is on a game, social media, messengers, and more, it is important
to establish rules with your kids that if they have not met the person, they do not talk to
the person unless you have approved it. So many child predators count on parents
allowing their young kids to be unsupervised with their phones, tablets, and game - Protecting personal information on social media: It can be tempting to make funny posts
on TikTok that reference the names of friends, names of schools, etc., but this can be
incredibly dangerous. Social media is the newest form of communication for kids and
adults alike, but it’s also an easy way for people to gather information that can be used
by bad actors for a variety of things. It’s important to teach kids that personal
information is personal and shouldn’t be shared online.