Linda Sharp
Project Manager
CoSN’s Cyber Security for the Digital District
linda@cosn.org

Washington, DC (May 8, 2006) – The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today announced its participation in a new initiative designed to educate American teens on online safety. The Help Keep Kids Connected and Protected campaign, managed by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), will combine the expertise and resources from government agencies, education organizations and consumer advocates from around the country.

“With the increased use of technology in education comes the responsibility of district technology leaders to educate students on maintaining a safe online atmosphere,” said Linda Sharp, CoSN’s project leader for its Cyber Security for the Digital District project. “This initiative is a natural fit for CoSN’s cyber security goals, and we are a proud to play a part.”

CoSN will actively promote the awareness of this national campaign and the “how-to” guide (staysafeonline.org/connectedandprotected.html) for teachers and parents, titled “An Educator, Parent and Guardian’s Guide: How to Teach Young People Safe Online Practices.” This guide provides tailored tips and guidelines for educators and parents to use to keep teens safe while socializing online. Key highlights from the guide include:

Social networking and safe online practices that teachers or parents can communicate to their students and teens:

• Protect Privacy: Keep personal information personal.
• Minimize Negative Publicity: Posting inappropriate photos can lead to damaged reputations and unwanted attention from others.
• Don’t Talk to Strangers: Teach students to be careful about adding strangers to IM Buddy or friend lists?people are not always who they say they are.

Security and safety tips that parents can use at home:

• Supervise Computer Use: Keep the computer in an open area, be aware of other computers and other devices children may be using outside of the home and consider installing software to control where children go online.
• Keep The Lines Of Communication Open: Use the Internet with your child and familiarize yourself with their activities online.
• Be a Technical Geek: Secure the family computer by regularly updating the operating system and installing a firewall, and up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

CoSN will also incorporate the guidelines into its Cyber Security for the Digital District project. These guidelines will become a component of the Cyber Security Tool Kit for technology leaders as they work with district leaders, teachers and students to educate students about the importance of personal security while online.

Launched in 2003, CoSN’s Cyber Security project provides for districts materials that help assess the current status of online security preparations, help protect networks and information, and inform districts how to make step-by-step improvements. Tools include:

For Superintendents & Policy Makers:

• First Steps For Policy Makers
• Eight Questions A Superintendent Should Ask the CTO/IT Director
• Cyber Security: An Introductory Slide Show
• Security News: Cautionary Tales-- Headlines You Want to Avoid

For Technology Leaders:

• First Steps for Technology Leaders
• A Self-Assessment Checklist
• Security Protocol Planning Flowchart
• District Security Rubric and Planning Grid

All can be found on the project’s Web site at www.securedistrict.org

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is the country’s premier voice in education technology leadership with a mission to serve as the national organization for K-12 technology leaders who use technology strategically to ultimately improve teaching and learning. CoSN provides products and services to support and nurture leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and awareness of emerging technologies.

CoSN leadership initiatives include: Accessible Technologies for All Students (www.accessibletech4all.org); Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision Making (www.3d2know.org); Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (www.safewiredschools.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); and the development of the Council of School District Chief Technology Officers (CTO Council).

CoSN’s membership includes a unique blend of education and technology leaders, policy makers, and influencers from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers—CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, policy makers, private sector leaders, as well as those technology leaders who wish to accelerate their districts’ or states’ systemic technology use. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.

About the National Cyber Security Alliance

A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is a central clearinghouse for cyber security awareness and education for home users, small businesses, and the education community. A public-private partnership, NCSA sponsors include the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Trade Commission, and many private-sector corporations and organizations. For more information on safe cyber security practices, visit www.staysafeonline.org.