What College Administrators Can Do

Categories:

2011

Sun, 09/19/2010 - 16:48

As a college administrator, your job is to help students have the best experience possible. Nearly everyone on a college campus uses the Internet on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including homework, research, and communication. A safe and secure college network is a critical resource on campus. Consider doing the following during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month:

Join the national campaign for cybersecurity education and awareness: STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Get details at www.stopthinkconnect.org.
Include the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. tips and advice (http://www.staysafeonline.org/tools-resources/stop-think-connect) in student handbooks and orientation materials. Each week, emphasize one tip and the correlating advice.
Post the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. tips and advice and NCSAM posters and banners around campus and on your school’s Web site.
Write an article on cybersecurity that incorporates the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. tips and advice for your campus newspaper. You can use information found at www.staysafeonline.org or www.stopthinkconnect.org.
Encourage the President, the Dean of Students and other administrators to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity when addressing students in October as a part of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Ask the Board of Trustees to pass a resolution in support of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is October for the United States.
Review acceptable use policies to be sure they are current with all new technologies.
Create a plan to notify students, faculty, and staff in the event of a data breach (www.debix.com/workbook/index.php).
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Make students aware of protection against cyber stalking. The National Center for Victims of Crime (www.ncvc.org) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (www.nnedv.org) are great resources.
Become a fan of the NCSA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/staysafeonline) and the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/STOPTHINKCONNECT).
Blog about cybersecurity throughout the month. Use social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to disseminate information and encourage students, faculty and staff to learn more about staying safe online. Feel free to use content found at www.staysafeonline.org.
Learn more at www.staysafeonline.org and www.stopthinkconnect.org.