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(V4-1) Navigating Cybersecurity in Education: Challenges and Opportunities

Volume 4, issue 1 - Fall 2024

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From the Editor's Desk

In the digital age, cybersecurity is an issue for all citizens, young and old. Hardly a day goes by without us hearing about the protection of personal information, digital data management, the consequences of cyberbullying, the risks of fraud, hacking into computer networks...

This reality should prompt everyone to develop new digital reflexes, modify their online practices and adopt more vigilant behaviours. It is important to remember that beyond its technical aspects, cybersecurity is above all a human issue.

Security remains subjective, despite the enormous technical connotations that have been given to it in recent years. This is what cybersecurity strategic advisor, Nicolas-Loïc Fortin, reminds us.

In the school context, how can administrators keep the human element at the heart of cybersecurity decisions? How can teachers strike a balance between professional autonomy and security practices?

What are cyberthreats, and how can everyone develop the right reflexes to deal with them? How can teachers talk to students about these issues, even if it means going beyond the official curriculum?

One thing’s for sure: it’s necessary to take action and respond to these questions. Unfortunately, people still don’t care enough about cybersecurity. They’re waiting for something to happen to them, says cybersecurity expert Terry Cutler. Terry urges people to be proactive in learning how to avoid digital pitfalls.

In this issue of the magazine, we highlight the importance of educating people about cybersecurity, while proposing concrete solutions that can be adapted to every environment.

Our aim is to help school staff develop a better understanding of the issues and opportunities that affect them directly, so that they can adopt responsible behaviours and, ultimately, pass on their knowledge to students. Teachers, too, badly need to be given the tools to safer digital browsing.

Everyone should feel concerned. Together, we can promote cybersecurity for a safer and more responsible digital future.

Martine Rioux, Chief-Editor
@riomarti

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September 2024 – Volume 4, issue 1

Writers
Alain Bordeleau, Wayne Boudreau, Jason Bourque, John Canuel, Ginette Comeau, Maxime Corriveau, Noémie Deber-Filioux, Marie-Astrid Dubant, Simon Duguay, Caroline Dupuis, Steve Forbes, Josée Gaudet, Roberto Gauvin, Travis Goodwin, Alix Jasmin-Morissette, Olivier Jegaden, Kätlin Koemets, Lucie Michaud, Martine Rioux, Laurie Salvail, Julian Taylor

Publisher
Audrey Miller

Chief-Editor
Martine Rioux

Editorial Assistant
Karla Mora

Development Director
Stéphanie Dionne

Translation
Nicole Arsenault, Roxanne Desforges (Pure&Applied), Martine Rioux

Additional Proofreading
Nicole Arsenault, Audrey Miller, Karla Mora, Martine Rioux

Graphic Design
Marie-Michèle Bouchard-Roussin
Kate-Lyn Lapointe (EMBLÈME Communication)

Printing
Solisco

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Legal Deposit 3rd trimester 2024
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
Library and Archives Canada
ISSN 2564-2510 (Print)
ISSN 2564-2529 (Online)

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In this issue - Fall 2024

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Engaged Learning

  Empowering Students as Safe and Responsible Digital Citizens

As everyone is learning while technology expands, including AI, what are the issues that need to be prioritized and what can be done to support students to develop healthy cybersecurity practices? This article explores key areas for educators to prioritize and suggests engaging classroom activities to cultivate these habits. 

  A Strategic Intervention Method Against Sexting Among Teenagers

Launched in 2016, the SEXTO project presents itself as an innovative and strategic intervention method to quell sexting among teenagers. It enables specialized school staff members to act quickly and effectively in the event of sexting, following clear procedures adapted to both the reality of young people and the legal framework. 

  Welcome to the World of Cybersecurity!

Schools and their stakeholders, like all organizations, have an individual and collective responsibility to equip themselves on two fronts: a robust and secure digital infrastructure and, above all, thoughtful and professional use by their users. Here are some useful resources to help with that huge task.

EngagED Learning Magazine

Hydro-Québec

  Preparing Tomorrowʼs Cyber Guardians: Integrating Cybersecurity in Education

Cybersecurity education is critical for several reasons. Young people are frequent targets of cyberbullying, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyber threats. By educating them about these risks and how to protect themselves, it is possible to significantly reduce their vulnerability. This article provides useful tips.

  Cybersecurity Education: A Must in Schools

This article explores how investing in cybersecurity is not just a question of protection, but also an educational responsibility. The whole ecosystem can contribute to preparing students to face the challenges of the digital world. 

  A Program to Promote Education in Digital Citizenship

How can we develop skills that transform us into enlightened digital citizens, capable of safely navigating various digital platforms while exercising discernment in our use of technology? The District scolaire francophone Nord-Est (DSFNE) has come up with an innovative answer to this important question. 

  Preventing Cybercrime, One Course at a Time!

In this article, you’ll hear the story of a unit carried out as part of the Media Literacy course, taught in Secondary 3 (Grade 9) in a public school in the Québec City region. In addition, strategies used by hackers, including some made possible by the arrival of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), will be explained. Who knows, maybe this article will inspire you to discuss cybersecurity with your students! 

  Teachers’ Essential Guide to Cybersecurity

Most educators don't spend their days thinking about cybersecurity. Between classroom management, learning objectives, and so much more, it usually doesn't rise to top priority. But as technology evolves and continues to become more integrated into every aspect of our lives— including mental health and biometrics—and cybercrime increases and sometimes targets schools, cybersecurity is something we need to be mindful about and help students understand. 

  Tips for Cybersecurity in Schools

At Nova Scotia’s Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP), cybersecurity is taken seriously. In collaboration with the province’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and other provincial school boards, robust measures are in place to protect networks against cyberattacks. 

  The Digital Challenges of Bill 25 on the Protection of Personal Information in Québec

Have you ever taken a picture of a student with your personal cell phone? Have you ever left your school computer unattended? Have you ever recorded student work on your personal computer? Or have you ever talked about a student, in front of several uninvolved colleagues, without concealing the student’s identity? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should read this article!

  Our Favourites

A collection of resources to put in your Favourites' list!

  THE FINAL NOTE : 5 Questions for Terry Cutler, An Ethical Hacker

Terry Culter is a cybersecurity expert who describes himself as an ethical hacker. Ethical hackers are benevolent hackers who test and identify vulnerabilities in corporate computer systems and networks to prevent and neutralize potential internal or external attacks. We asked him 5 questions.  

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