- What's Available
- The SAFE-Net program contains workshop & classroom materials and a parent's document.
The workshops area contains
workshop materials for seven different cyber safety and security topics.
Classroom materials are organized into three grade levels:
Grades 1-3; Grades 4-6; and Grades 7-12.
The parent
materials cover nine topics in cyber security
and cyber safety. They can serve as source materials for a school
to develop
presentations or written materials for parents.
-
Contacts
- For more information
about the SAFE-Net program:
- Email to safenet@psc.edu
- Wiam Younes
Training and Awareness Coordinator
Information Security Office
Carnegie Mellon University
412-268-4095 - Cheryl Begandy
Director, Education, Outreach and Training
Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
412-268-4960
Introduction
SAFE-Net, a Cyber Safety Awareness program of the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, focuses on raising the awareness of students, parents, and educators about cyber threats, measures of protection, and cyber ethics. Through this website, it provides materials to teach parents, teachers and students about cyber security issues. Lessons are geared to grade levels 1-3, 4-6, and 7-12. A separate document is provided for parents.
Most internet users would like to learn more about cyber safety and security, according to a 2006 study by Carnegie Mellon's CyLab. Many lack an understanding of common threats they could face online. Among parents, many lack confidence that their child is safe when using the internet. With the ever-expanding use of the internet, education is critically needed to address safe computer habits, particularly among students who use and adopt new technologies more quickly than their parents.
Cyber security involves more than putting small barriers in place, such as using anti-virus software and knowing to delete spam. It requires a wall of defenses. Cyber security education must be thorough to help students keep themselves safe from the wide range of threats and dangers online. Education must address three subject areas: cyber ethics, cyber safety, and cyber security (National Cyber Security Alliance). If one of these areas is missing, students will lack the knowledge to fully protect themselves. Consider each of these areas separately:
- Cyber Ethics: Students learn to make decisions in a way that shows respect for others and others' safety while online. The topics in this area include an understanding of the acts and consequences of cyber crime and unethical behavior, such as hacking and cyber bullying.
- Cyber Safety: Students become aware of the predators, spammers, and cyber bullies who may be online. They learn to recognize traps and dangers and then respond to them effectively or report them to authorities.
- Cyber Security: Students learn about attacks on their computers that may cause damage or steal information, such as identity or financial data. They learn about malware, spam and identity theft, and how to protect themselves and their computer.