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Lord Wandsworth College Students Given Lesson on Staying Safe Online from Cyber Experts at CG(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 15 October 2014 Release date- 14102014 - Hampshire - Students at Lord Wandsworth College were today given a masterclass in staying safe online by expert cyber security volunteers from CGI, a global IT and business process services provider working on behalf of the (ISC)-2 Foundation's Safe and Secure Online programme. Part of October's Nationwide Cyber Security Awareness Month, the day saw students look at the long-term consequences of posting content on social media channels, why different passwords should be used for different services and how to safely arrange to meet online contacts in the real world. The Safe and Secure online programme was introduced in 2006 by (ISC)-2, the largest body of certified information and software security professionals worldwide, to offer experts the opportunity to educate children on how to protect themselves online and become responsible digital citizens. Today the programme is backed by over 1,200 volunteers worldwide from a sponsorship network of over 15 organisations including Booz Allen Hamilton, Brainloop, CGI, and Scotiabank, who regularly visit schools across the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Canada, Ireland, and Switzerland. In the UK, the programme has been particularly successful with volunteers speaking to between 3,000 and 5,000 students each academic term. Today's session was delivered by Ian McKinnon, IT Security consultant at CGI. He provided students a unique opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns, providing insight into the online habits and attitudes of teenagers in Hampshire today. Gareth Pearson, senior deputy head at Lord Wandsworth said, 'Our experience shows that often pupils behave differently online to how they would behave face-to-face. It's as if they feel the screen provides them with an invisibility cloak and allows them to say and do things they normally wouldn't consider saying or doing. All our pupils have an active online life and are becoming well-versed in social media at an ever younger age, yet many are naive about the implications of what they post. We believe it's extremely important that they get good, up-to-date advice from experts: Teachers often find out about the latest social media craze well after the children!' CGI has supported the (ISC)-2 Foundation Safe and Secure Online programme since the summer; a collaboration that will see specialist security consultants reach out to schools around the UK. For more than 35 years, CGI has helped clients manage complex security challenges with a business-focused approach. It works with leading corporations across the commercial sectors and governments in the UK, US, Canada, and across Europe. CGI is a key player in several UK and global information-sharing groups, which include government organisations, universities, and IT and security organisations. Ian McKinnon, security consultant at CGI said, 'For many years I have been helping our clients to develop secure IT systems to protect their valuable information. The Safe and Secure Online programme allows me to use my skills and knowledge to help children safely navigate new technology as they explore and grow in their digital lives. As early adopters of technology, children are often at the cutting edge of developments. It is very important to equip them to think critically about both the benefits and the risks that technology brings. I am proud that my company is supporting the Safe and Secure Online programme within the UK, as it provides me with a great opportunity to share my skills and to help others to enjoy using technology safely. ' All Safe and Secure Online volunteers are (ISC)-2-certified information and software security professionals. As a volunteer, they are provided with hard-hitting videos and activities that demonstrate risks to personal safety resulting from dangerous online habits and actions. Advice provided to children includes: how to avoid identity theft; where to go for help when problems arise; and how to recognise dangers with common practices such as geo-tagging, managing passwords, downloading music, viewing attachments from untrusted sources, and interacting with others online. Dr. Adrian Davis, managing director for (ISC)-2 EMEA , said, 'We set up Safe and Secure Online in 2006 to improve society's cyber awareness by helping children-the part of society that is growing up as digital natives-understand how to be more responsible for their own safety and become ambassadors for a safer cyber world. We believe the security profession has a significant responsibility to address the public's online security vulnerabilities, while also working to empower a security savvy global workforce going forward.' About (ISC)-2 and the (ISC)-2 Foundation The (ISC)-2 Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust that aims to empower students, teachers, and the general public to secure their online life by supporting cyber security education and awareness in the community through its programs and the efforts of its members. Through the (ISC)-2 Foundation, (ISC)-2's global membership of over 100,000 information and software security professionals seek to ensure that children everywhere have a positive, productive, and safe experience online, to spur the development of the next generation of cyber security professionals, and to illuminate major issues facing the industry now and in the future. For more information, please visit www.isc2cares.org. Formed in 1989 and celebrating its 25th anniversary, (ISC)-2 is the largest not-for-profit membership body of certified information and software security professionals worldwide, with over 100,000 members in more than 135 countries. (ISC)-2's certifications are among the first information technology credentials to meet the stringent requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17024, a global benchmark for assessing and certifying personnel. (ISC)-2 also offers education programs and services based on its CBK, a compendium of information and software security topics. More information is available at www.isc2.org. About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog of approximately C$19 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com. Media Contact James Romero Email: [email protected] Tel: +448456801866 (c) 2014 Electronic News Publishing - |