College Student Video Contest Improves Computer Security Awareness

August 1, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. – August 1, 2007 – The EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force, the National Cyber Security Alliance, and ResearchChannel have announced six winners of a computer security awareness video contest, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of and increase computer security at colleges and universities.

The contest drew video submissions on cyber security issues from a wide array of colleges and universities throughout the country. Using lively vignettes and campus-based scenarios, the short videos and public service announcements explain computer security problems and actions students should take to safeguard their computers and personal information.

“We are encouraging colleges and universities to incorporate these student videos into their orientation programs for first-year students and ongoing security awareness campaigns for returning students,” said Rodney Petersen, EDUCAUSE government relations officer and security task force coordinator. “Since the largest group falling victim to identity theft is men and women between the ages of 18 and 29, it is important for college and university students to understand the risks of being online and how to protect their personal information, computer, and campus networks.”

This year’s winners include:

• “Avoid Infection” by Joseph Ellis and Eric Collins, University of Delaware
• “Whoa, That's Awkward” by Evan Michals, Dartmouth College
• “When You Least Expect It” by Nolan Portillo, California State University – Bakersfield
• “Identity Theft for Criminals” by Scott Polcyn and Daniel Garcia, University of Central Florida
• “Out in the Open” by Mark Lancaster, Texas A&M University
• “A Short Film About Data Protection” by Chris Herbein, Guy Hershberger, Joseph Iacona, Joshua Bucknor, and Maurizio Bertone, Pennsylvania College of Technology

These videos are now available for free download from ResearchChannel at http://www.researchchannel.org/securityvideo2007/ for colleges, universities, and other organizations to broadcast, make available for downloading, and use in security orientations, sports halftime events or however they see fit.

Part of a national public service announcement campaign, the National Cyber Security Alliance has chosen Nolan Portillo’s Bronze Award winning video, “When You Least Expect It,” to incorporate into a large national campaign to run on universities and high school TV broadcast channels to underscore the importance of Internet safety and security precautions.

“Educating the higher education community about the risks and precautions to take while using the Internet is an integral part of our mission to raise awareness on cyber security issues nationwide,” said Ron Teixeira, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. “It is for this reason that we proudly support the video contest because it not only reaches an essential audience of Internet users, but it also engages college students to promote understanding of online threats to their peers at a grassroots level.”

For information on terms of use or to download the six award-winning videos for free, visit the ResearchChannel at http://www.researchchannel.org/securityvideo2007/ For information on the extensive security resources developed for higher education by the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force, see http://www.educause.edu/security/

About EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises more than 2,100 colleges, universities, and educational organizations, including 200 corporations, with 16,500 active members. EDUCAUSE has offices in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. Learn more about EDUCAUSE at www.educause.edu/.

About Internet2
Internet2 is the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium. Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. By bringing research and academia together with technology leaders from industry, government and the international community, Internet2 promotes collaboration and innovation that has a fundamental impact on the future of the Internet. For more information visit: http://www.internet2.edu

About 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, and to review the top 8 cyber security practices, visit www.staysafeonline.org.

About ResearchChannel
ResearchChannel links a growing global audience to the revolutionary developments, insights and discoveries of leading research and academic institutions through online, on-air and on-demand video distribution formats. Founded as a way to share breakthrough research with the public, the ResearchChannel consortium includes world-renowned universities and research institutions. Video programming ranging from technology and science innovations to fascinating arts and humanities topics is shared in its original form and without interruption.

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PRESS CONTACT
Melissa Smolensky
Porter Novelli for NCSA
Melissa.smolensky@porternovelli.com
(512) 241-2232