Summary
Cybersec 101 is a cybersecurity training resource toolkit which demonstrates that the prevention of data breaches can be easier, less time consuming and less costly than dealing with the consequences of having information, whether it is personal or financial, compromised.
Cybersec 101 (https://www.cybersec101.ca/), a bilingual evidence-based cybersecurity training resource toolkit, includes 565 pages of resources, over an hour of targeted video presentations, and an integrative and intuitive website, all supported by 2 hours of online trainer seminars.
The toolkit was launched in November 2016 by the Smart Cybersecurity Network (SERENE-RISC, https://www.serene-risc.ca/), a cybersecurity knowledge mobilization network funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence and hosted by the Université de Montréal.
Cybersec 101 was funded by Public Safety Canada and developed in partnership with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Ottawa Public Library, and the Association des Bibliothèques Publiques du Québec. Through collaboration with public libraries across Canada, which deliver the content created by SERENE-RISC, this resource has become the centre point for a new national web of cybersecurity educators.
SERENE-RISC mobilized knowledge from its uniquely diverse network of experts and delivered more than 20 workshops and online presentations to library staff and community centre leaders across Canada. More than 100 professionals took part in these sessions. Educators trained on these tools can reach up to 4 million people across Canada. The public libraries of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Newfoundland and Labrador, among others, have already started or are planning to offer Cybersec101 training sessions. The library and community centre educators responded overwhelmingly positively to being presented the materials with more than 98% reporting that these resources will assist them in educating others. Participant surveys showed that Cybersec101 changed their attitude towards cybersecurity, making them feel more strongly about using good passwords, checking URLs and more aware of cybersecurity threats.
As the demand for the content has been so high, plans are underway to extend the reach and develop the content even further by forming online discussion groups, supporting community groups who are already championing best practices in cybersecurity (in health facilities, colleges and universities, seniors’ groups, small business associations, provincial departments, etc.), working with policing organizations nationally to deliver this program to their local communities, and designing a collaborative system to enable crowd-sourced materials development that will enable cybersecurity subject matter experts to update the training material so that it remains current and reflects the constantly evolving threat landscape.
Cybersec 101 provides awareness of what cybersecurity risks look like and how to avoid them through knowledge and good computer hygiene. This toolkit empowers each and every Canadian to protect themselves online using evidence-based knowledge. Cybersec 101 demonstrates that prevention of data breaches can be easier, less time consuming and less costly than dealing with the consequences of having information, whether it is personal or financial, compromised.
Cybersec 101: https://www.cybersec101.ca/