Posted by Douglas Gray on October 01, 2014
Children are like sponges. All day, every day they are listening and interpreting information from parents, teachers and peers. I realize adults sometimes wonder if children are really processing the material, but my experience as an (ISC)2 Safe and Secure Online (SSO) volunteer confirmed for me that kids are paying attention. The (ISC)² Foundation is a non-profit charity formed by (ISC)² as a conduit through which its members reach society and empower students, teachers and the general public to secure their online life with cyber security education and awareness programs in the community.
I became an SSO volunteer to share the information and knowledge I have because far too often children and adults believe the device in their hand or on their lap is private and no one else can access it. Without knowledge of how things work, bad things can happen. As an SSO volunteer I have the opportunity to help children ages 7-14 learn how to be responsible for their actions and how to protect themselves. Volunteers use Safe and Secure Online teaching tools (developed by former school teachers) to educate students about how to protect themselves, their equipment, and their identities from online dangers. Topics evolve depending on needs and the age group of the classroom, but can include identity theft, anti-virus software, cyber-bullying, mobile security, safe social networking, and safe computing practices. It’s a rewarding experience and essential to convey this information to our youth.
When I teach, I see the kids absorb each tidbit of information that I share. They refer back to previous topics I mentioned and bring forward new topics for discussion. The students were not only paying attention, but understanding the concepts behind what I was teaching.
Through the (ISC)2 Foundation’s SSO program I’ve been able to help guide today’s youth teaching them how to be safe online. As a security professional volunteering has helped me share knowledge and empower others. October marks the 11thanniversary of Cyber Security Awareness Month. I hope you’ll consider how you can keep our youth safe and secure online.
