CERIAS is pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative to increase the security of K-12 information systems nationwide.  CERIAS, the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security at Purdue University, has developed a comprehensive set of self-paced multimedia training modules for K-12 educators and support staff titled Keeping Information Safe: Practices for K-12 Schools.  The goal of these modules is to increase the security of K-12 school information systems and the privacy of student data by increasing teacher awareness of pertinent threats and vulnerabilities as well as their responsibilities in keeping information safe. 

Introduction

Information security is one of the most important responsibilities in using a computer system. Unfortunately, K-12 educators and support staff are largely unaware of the threats and vulnerabilities associated with the information systems they use.  For example, private student data can be stolen, lost, and/or exposed to the public. This threat is especially pertinent as educators and support staff are obligated to protect sensitive information such as Student Test Numbers under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, which is one of the nation’s strongest privacy protection laws.  These individuals need opportunities to learn about the threats and countermeasures associated with information protection.

Keeping Information Safe: Practices for K-12 Schools is a comprehensive set of self-paced multimedia training modules for K-12 educators and support staff.  School administrators and technology professionals can use these modules as part of an awareness program to increase the security of K-12 school information systems and the privacy of student data by increasing teacher awareness of pertinent threats and vulnerabilities as well as their responsibilities in keeping information safe.   For educators, support staff, and parents, this series of educational modules will help you to understand why information security is important to you, and what you can do to contribute to the overall information security of your organization simply by following a few easy-to-understand guidelines.

Copyright and Attribution

These modules are available for download from the CERIAS website. These modules may be used free of charge, may be freely distributed to other non-profit and government agencies, and can be hosted on intranets for the purpose of training educators and support staff.  If you are interested in using these modules in a for-profit setting, please contact Melissa Dark at dark@purdue.edu.

Format

This set of modules uses video, audio, text, case studies, and exercises to promote and guide learning and understanding. It is self-paced, which means learners do not need to finish each module in one sitting. Simply select the last module visited and resume learning.

Screenshots

• Email Animation
• Instructional Game
• Instructional Video
• Main Menu
• Password Security Exercise

Learner Prerequisites

This material is appropriate for anyone who uses a computer - no special knowledge about information security is required. However, basic computer and Internet navigation skills are necessary.

Directions for Use

Download the CD image in the sidebar on the right. Once downloaded, you can burn the image to a CD using Disk Utility on Mac OS X, or any number of CD burning tools on Windows (a free one is ImgBurn).

About CERIAS

Purdue University's Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security, or CERIAS, is the world's foremost university center for multidisciplinary research and education in areas of information security and assurance. The mission of the center is to promote and enable world class leadership in multidisciplinary approaches to information assurance and security research and education, advancing the state and practice of information security and assurance.

CERIAS has leading programs in various levels of security and assurance education, including graduate, undergraduate, K-12, and professional development. Purdue University and CERIAS have program offerings at the Masters and Bachelors degree level. We offer certification programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, and multimedia products on a variety of topics. To learn more about CERIAS, please visit http://www.cerias.purdue.edu/.