MCS observes Cyber Security Awareness Week

HUNTSVILLE – Madison City Schools will observe Cyber Week Oct. 16-20 with daily activities and awareness programs for students and a free Cyber Security session that will be open to all parents.

The week’s primary goal is to alert people about their online presence. Sessions will offer ways for students to better protect themselves, their personal information, personal network and the school network from cyber-attacks, MCS Public Relations Manager John S. Peck said.

The motto for the week is “Cyber Security: Our Shared Responsibility.” MCS also is observing October as “National Cyber Security Awareness Month.”

For students, daily programs will be held during Refuel Hour. Guest speakers will lead programs from various companies and organizations that deal with cybersecurity issues on a regular basis. Topics will include encryption challenges for students, helpful information posts at advisory and message boards, along with security tips.

The schedule has a diverse lineup:

* Oct. 16, Government Agencies Day — Reports from officers with Madison Police Department and personnel from U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Cyber Camp, FBI’s Cyber Crime Division and U.S. Army.

* Oct. 17, Cyber Professionals Day — Sessions with employees from PeopleTec, Redstone Federal Credit Union and Riverstone Solutions/Women in Technology.

* Oct. 17, Parent’s Night, 7 p.m. — In James Clemens High School auditorium, Ben McGee, President and CEO of CyberProtex, will present a free discussion of the latest security threats targeting children, issues with popular apps that children use daily and helpful tips for parents to give better protection of a family’s online identity.

“Ben McGee will be available for questions at the conclusion,” Peck said. “He is an extensively qualified leader in the Cyber Security Huntsville community.”

* Oct. 18, Cyber Security Organizations Day — Members will attend from Information Systems Security Association, Information Systems Audit and Control Association and Cyber Huntsville.

* Oct. 19, College Day — School representatives from Calhoun Community College, Athens State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Georgia Tech Cyber Security Research Labs will answer questions.

* Oct. 20, College Day — Students will learn from presentations by employees with University of Alabama in Huntsville and CyberProtex – Industry Certifications.