Cyber Security

With websites, blogs and even Facebook pages, many parishes, schools and social service agencies are embracing the latest technology. Even Pope Benedict XVI has exhorted Catholics to use technology to spread the good news, encouraging us to “ bring the witness of our faith to the digital world.” But with this new technology comes the need for an increased awareness of cyber security.

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the process of protecting information by preventing, detecting and responding to attacks. The Office of Risk Management (ORM) and the Information Technology Department (IT) want to help our locations become aware of cyber security issues – to be able to recognize a potential threat and to know what to do in the event you suspect security has been compromised. Our goal is to give you the tools you need to take the lead on cyber security at your school, parish or institution. This includes implementing a cyber security policy, designating an individual to coordinate cyber security efforts, and educating others at your location about cyber security.

Upcoming Seminars for Catholic Schools

Our Catholic schools face a number of challenges in regards to cyber security. Schools are legally obligated to adhere to various types of legislation designed to protect student records, safeguard the personal information of students and staff, and ensure that children can not access offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. In order to help our schools meet these challenges, the Office of Risk Management, the Information Technology Department and the Catholic Schools Office will be offering assistance. This autumn, we plan to conduct cyber security presentations in which experts in the field of data security will discuss the risks we face and best practices to put in place. We will give you the tools you need to create and maintain a cyber security policy, including information on Internet monitoring services that schools can utilize. In addition, legal experts will be present to speak about compliance issues. We will then follow up with each of our schools and offer assistance in the reporting and monitoring functions. 

Please be on the lookout for emails with detailed seminar information in the coming months.

Other Resources

For more information, please review our special edition cyber security newsletter.

Please see our Network Policy Guidelines for Catholic Schools.

Stop.Think.Connect. Initiative

To help drive home the importance of safeguarding personal information online and not falling victim to cyber crimes, the Office of Homeland Security has put together a campaign called Stop.Think.Connect. Here are a few useful tips from the Stop.Think.Connect initiative.

Stop.

Stop hackers from accessing your accounts - set secure passwords.
Stop sharing too much information - keep your personal information personal.
Stop - trust your gut, if something doesn't feel right, stop what you are doing.
Stop and think about who can see the information you post online. Are you giving total strangers access to your information?
Stop any questionable online behavior. Only do and say things online that you would do in real life.

Think.

Think about the information you want to share before you share it.
Think how your online actions can affect your offline life.
Think before you act - don’t automatically click on links.
 Think about why you are sharing information online. Is it going to be safe?
Think about why you’re going to the site. Did you get it from someone you trust?
Think about who you’re talking to online. Do you really know who they are?

Connect.

Connect over secure networks.
Connect with people you know.
Connect with care and be on the lookout for potential threats.
Connect safely and show your friends and family how to behave online.
Connect with people and sites you trust when you’re online.

To read more about the Stop.Think.Connect campaign, please go to: http://stopthinkconnect.org/