Digital Security

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month which

is an annual campaign to raise awareness about
cybersecurity. We live in a world that is more connected
than ever before. The Internet touches almost all aspects of
everyones daily life, whether we realize it or not. National
Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is designed to
engage and educate public and private sector partners
through events and initiatives to raise awareness about
cybersecurity, provide them with tools and resources
needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of
the Nation in the event of a cyber incident.

In October we experienced a breach in

cyber security
Unknown persons sent phishing emails to employees at au.
What are phishing emails?

Phishingis the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as

usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes,
indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by masquerading
as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

The employees who received the phishing

emails opened the link attached to the email.
Which gave the hacker access to payroll
information. Luckily it was caught by our I.T.
security team before it became epidemic

standards

ISTE.NETS addressed
4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior
in their professional practices.

a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual
property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

5. Engage in professional growth and leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional
community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.

Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a visionof technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and
developing the leadership and technology skills of others.

Who is a digital citizen?

You!
anyone who uses digital tools such as computers, cell phones, or the
internet in their work, school or for recreation. Just like citizens of a
city have to adopt rules and standards of behavior in order to live
together, those of us in the digital world should do the same.
There are general guidelines we can all follow in order to stay safe, and
work well in the digital world. These guidelines are outlined in the
elements of digital citizenship.

Nine elements of digital citizenship

What is Digital Security?

Digital security refers to the electronic precautions used to
guarantee safety
Protecting hardware and network security by using secure and
secret passwords
Protecting personal security by not posting personal information
online

How can teachers help students

demonstrate digital security?
We should:
Make Sure Electronic devices are Secure
Make sure data is secure
Make sure data is backed up

Securing data
Password strength
Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols
Use an appropriate length (at least 8 characters)
Have a different password for each site or service
Do not use information that is easy to guess, such as your birthdate, phone
number, etc.

Password privacy
Do not share passwords with others
Use an appropriate length

Lets watch the video with some great

password protection tips.
Video: Six Digital Lifehacks for Your
Passwords
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hYyWgPXfx9U

Backing up data
Regularly back up data in case of computer malfunction or hardware
failure
Back up important files on more than one device or drive

Digital security scenario

Adam is a Freshman at Augusta University. AU
provides email accounts to all students. Adam is
afraid that he might forget his password and
writes it down in his notebook. While hanging out
in the JSAC with friends, he leaves his books out
while he goes to get something to eat. When he
gets back, he sees his notebook open to the page
with his password.

Appropriate
Adam is concerned that his notebook was open to
the page with his password. He immediately goes
to a computer, logs in, and changes his password.
Adam decides that he needs to keep his password
in a more secure location.

inappropriate
Not thinking anything about it, Adam gathers his
books and goes to his next class. The next day, he
he gets a call from the Dean of Students, who
informs him that another student has reported
receiving a threatening email from his account.
The student receiving the email did not know
Adam and was not sure why he had sent the
email. Adam tells the Dean that he did not send
the email and that someone else must have his
password.

Digital security scenario 2

Adam purchased a computer from
BigComputer.com website. After this recent
purchase, he receives an email from
BigComputer.com asking customers for
information because their database crashed and
lost sales information for the last six months. The
email asks for basic information including name
and address, but also asks for his password to his
account on BigComputer.com website.
What might happen because of his lack of
security?

Digital security scenario 3

Michelle is working on an important report for her
Life Sciences class. She has been working on her
laptop, and has been unable to find her flash drive.
She saves her work frequently on her laptop.
What could happen as a result of not backing up
the data to another device?

What other scenarios can you think of

that deal with element 9: digital
security?

Hacked?
IF YOUVE BEEN COMPROMISED
Immediately change all passwords; financial passwords
first. Do not use that password in
the future.
Disconnect your computer from the Internet.
Restart your computer in safe mode and back up your data.
Report stolen finances or identities and other cybercrime to
the Internet Crime Complaint
Center at www.ic3.gov.
Report the attack to your university and the local
authorities.

Summary

digital citizen - anyone who uses digital tools such as computers, cell phones, or the internet in their work, school or for recreation. Just like citizens of a city have to adopt
rules and standards of behavior in order to live together, those of us in the digital world should do the same.
We should

Securing devices

Securing data

Back up data

We should

know where devices are at all times

know who has access to and uses their devices

Securing Data

Password strength

Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols

Use an appropriate length

Have a different password for each site or service

Do not use information that is easy to guess, such as your birthdate, phone number, etc.

Password privacy

Do not share passwords with others

Use an appropriate length

Regularly back up data in case of computer malfunction or hardware failure

Back up important files on more than one device or drive

REferences
http://www.pensacolachs.org/webpages/capplications/index.cfm?
subpage=428867
http://generationsafe.ikeepsafe.org/professional-development/achievingdigital-security/
Ribble, M. (2011).Digital Citizenship in Schools. Washington, DC:ISTW
https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=mty3odg5oq1lau

Take the quiz!